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William Crane Obituary
POUGHKEEEPSIE - William Grace Crane, Esq. , 87 of the Town of Poughkeepsie, passed away suddenly at his residence on Tuesday, July 2, 2019.
Born in Manhattan on March 25, 1932, he was the son of Thomas and Rosalind Illions Crane. He had a colorful youth working with his family business Charles M. Illions Carousel Works and other establishments in Coney Island, Brooklyn.
He was a graduate of Manhattan College with a B.A. in Liberal Arts with Honors and St. John's University School of Law as Co-Valedictorian with Mario Cuomo. He proudly served his country with the US Army from 1953-1955.
Admitted to the New York State and Federal Bar in 1958, he practiced as a trial lawyer for 61 years in Albany, New York City, White Plains and Poughkeepsie. He was also employed by the the Unified NYS Court System for 35 years, retiring as the Chief Clerk of the Dutchess County Surrogates Court under the Honorable George Bernhardt. In addition, he successfully defended his client in the landmark United State Supreme Court Decision Brady v. Corbin 495 U.S. 508 (1990) reaffirming the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution.
On August 21, 1958 at St. Denis Church in Yonkers, NY, Bill married Catherine Ann Polsenski. His beloved wife predeceased him on December 29, 2012.
William is survived by his four children; William G. Crane, Jr. D.O. of Watertown, NY, Matthew D. Crane, M.P.A., M.F.A, C.P.A., Brooklyn NY, Genevieve M. Crane, Phoenix, AZ and Bridget C. Crane, M.P.A., Westminster, MA.; 12 grandchildren; 1 great grandson and his brother, Peter Sokolow and sister-in-law Salvatrice. He was predeceased by his son James F. Crane.
Visitation will be Tuesday, July 9 from 4-7 pm at Parmele, Auchmoody & Schoonmaker Funeral Home, 110 Fulton Ave., Poughkeepsie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, July 10 at 10 am from St. Martin De Porres Church, 118 Cedar Valley Rd., Poughkeepsie. Entombment will follow in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to St. Martin De Porres Church.
For directions and condolences, please visit www.hudsonvalleyfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Crane
Sponsored by Parmele, Auchmoody & Schoonmaker Funeral Home.
Elliott Wong
July 10, 2019
Sorry to hear the loss of Bill. I still have fond memories, of one of the best Pork Chops i've ever had that Bill made.
It was always great to enjoy meals with you.
Prayers and Condolences to the Bill's family.
fjohn reinke (mc1968)
July 8, 2019
The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any mans death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.
jeffry mccabe
July 8, 2019
Hi Folks.....
We read with sadness the passing of Bill this week..... what a great guy! First meet Bill as a youth when my grandfather, Dad and uncle shared office space with the Rosen Law Firm back in the early sixties...My Grandpa Joe thought a lot of Bill..as did Dad and Uncle Dick..... And of course.....who will ever forget summers spent at YMCA camp WAWA SEGOWEA....with Billy...we had a lot of fun! Oh, I hope this helps.....May God Keep You Bill..... with warm personal regard we are the McCabe's of Poughkeepsie.
Jeff McCabe
Poughkeepsie
Marcia Haigh
July 8, 2019
To the Crane family I am so sorry for you loss.
Norma
July 7, 2019
Dr. Crane, Wishing you peace to bring you comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart. My condolences to you and your family's loss
Pamela Falco
July 7, 2019
Bill was a person you could always count on to do the right thing and fight for you with his knowledge of the law. We have the utmost respect for him. I'm so sorry for your loss. Will miss him. Sincerely Pamela Falco
Edward C Wong
July 7, 2019
Bill,
Very sorry to learn that you have left us so suddenly and I trust that you left peacefully.
Thank you so much for your sincere friendship and helps. Will miss your wisdom and jokes. Your kindness and wits will always be remembered in our hearts.
May you R.I.P. and enjoy the heaven.
Ed & Ella
Hong Kong
PS
Billy & Matthew, Please accept our condolence! Bill is a super guy!
Stay in touch.
Ed
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Memorial Events
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Jul
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Visitation
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Parmele, Auchmoody & Schoonmaker Funeral Home110 Fulton Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
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Parmele, Auchmoody & Schoonmaker Funeral Home110 Fulton Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
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