CECIL CRANTON

The family and friends of Cecil Smith Cranton are deeply saddened to announce his passing on September 28, 2025. Cec was born in Moncton, New Brunswick on 02 November 1923, the oldest child of Marion Isabel Smith Cranton and George Forrest Cranton. His goal was to live to 100 years, and he made it past that to almost 102!

Although he lived in Fort William (later Thunder Bay) for 69 years at heart he was a "Maritimer", always relishing a "chew" of dulse and a "feed" of lobster. The Cranton and Smith families originated in Britain. Around 1784 his great, great, great-grandfather, Captain Robert Cranton, a mariner with his own ships, established a trading post at Margaree Harbour, Cape Breton. Cec's mother's family, the Smiths, arrived at Fort Cumberland from Yorkshire in 1774.

His childhood home, a fox ranch, was on the Fort Lawrence Ridge, Nova Scotia. He spent many happy and sometimes harrowing hours hunting, fishing and exploring on the Tantramar Marshes.

After completing high school in Amherst, NS, Cec attended Mount Allison University where he excelled as both a scholar and a track star.

From "Mount A" he went on to the Nova Scotia Technical College and obtained his Degree Electrical Engineering in 1947. Riding a 1942 Harley Davidson motorcycle, with a homemade sidecar (crafted from airplane parts), he headed "up" to Toronto to begin work with Westinghouse Electrical Corporation. There, on a blind date, he met the love of his life, nurse Bernice Meryl Gibson and married her over 74 years ago on September 8, 1951. His oldest daughter, Lynda, was born in Weston and his oldest son, Stephen, was born in Windsor before the family up and moved to Fort William where his four younger children Alan, Peter, David, Dee were born.

Cec's life was one of endless curiosity and industriousness, guided by his lists of "Things Accomplished", "To Dos" and "Plans For The Future". He worked for Westinghouse for eleven years. He successfully battled a devastating Cancer. He went on to teach Physics, become a Vice Principal, and ultimately obtained his Masters in Education. Cec spent 29 years in the Ontario educational system, both teaching and in administration at Lakeview, Hammarskjold and Fort William Collegiate Institute (FWCI). During this time, he founded the NorWOSSA Science Fair and chaired numerous education committees. Through Rotary International he organized The Debating Society. He was given the highest Rotary International honour and made a Paul Harris Fellow. He received his 60-year pin as a Master Mason and 32nd Degree Scottish Rite.

Cec helped bring sailing to life in Thunder Bay, founding the Lakehead Sailing Club and school, and incorporating Mid Canada Sailcraft Inc. Cec took great pleasure in organizing (and having incorporated) the Cranton Family Society. A major project of the Cranton Family Society was the funding and placement of a monument to Captain Robert Cranton in the Margaree Centre graveyard. He co-ordinated the large Cranton Family Reunion in the Margaree in 2010.

A devoted member of Wesley United Church, Cec served in many roles, including Elder, President of the Men's Club, Board Secretary and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Cec was passionately concerned with the environment and health. His wife, Bernice was a nurse, and all his six children's careers have involved human health in one way or another. He fought to have the INCO mine at Shebandowan Lake developed with environmental concerns addressed. He was an outspoken opponent of the use of DDT to control spruce budworm (after having a spray plane rain it down on his head at Shebandowan). He often bemoaned the loss of songbirds at the lake. Among his proudest achievements was his spearheading of the campaign that demanded the construction of an entirely new regional hospital for Northwestern Ontario. The Thunder Bay Regional Hospital is the amazing result.

Cec was an educator, debater, environmentalist, scientist, builder, prospector and organizer. He was strict. He was kind and charitable. He loved a clever "one liner" and a beautiful piece of music.

Cec's family members all sincerely hope that his intelligence, humanity, performance ability and longevity are incorporated into their own DNA! Sadly missed and fondly remembered by his wife Bernice; children Lynda (Harry), Stephen (Tina), Alan (Ingrid), Peter (Michael), David (Cathy) and Dee (Lorne); grandchildren Eva (Craig), Fiona (Mark), Monica (Allyson), Richard (Amanda), Geoffrey (Megan), Victoria, Christopher (Tanja), Mikaila (Marek), Dominique (Jake) and Angeline, great-grandchildren Patrick, Zoe, Lana, Maeve, Reid, Casey, Scarlet and Violet.

He was predeceased by his parents, his sisters, Verna Erhardt and Ruth Brisley and his dear great-granddaughter, Elouise.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Wesley United Church on October 18, 2025, at 11:00 am. Cec will be interred in the Northeast Margaree Cemetery in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in August 2026.

Cec, Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa - Rest In Peace, High on that Mountain….. You lived a long life well.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com