Robert Q. Crane

Dear Marilou,

I am just now reading about your dad for the first time. For some reason it came across my phone. I am so sorry for your loss.

I have many fond memories of your family growing up. Particularly memories of your dad when he helped us get the summer jobs at the state house. You, Annmarie and I had such a fun summer thanks to your dad. Memories of Scituate and the time we spent together are forever there. You were my dear friend and your family was part of my life. What a magical time.

I hope you and your family are well and that time has helped heal the loss of your dear father. Know that you are in my heart.

Love,
Susan (McGourty) Braccio

I was the Corporate Controller of Merkert Enterprises. Bob was in my office every day, except when he was in Jupiter, FL. He was a good man with a great sense of humor. I am posting this on behalf of all of the employees of the Merkert Enterprises family. It was a great company to work for and he was a big part of it. He loved the song by Louie Armstrong, "What a Wonderful Life." He was so funny doing the eulogy for Boston's mayor, Kevin White, who he was very good friends with in 2012. Bob once told me about life, "We're just visiting." He loved life and will be missed.

I had the pleasure of weekly chats with Mr. Crane over the last year in my work as an Ombudsman at a nursing home in Wellesley. He was a kind and funny man. We sang Irish songs (Who Threw the Overalls in Mrs. Murphy's Chowder was our favorite along with a few by the Irish Rovers), talked about the Red Sox, ate Werther's Caramels and he would ask me What's he done today? Referring to a certain politician with whom he did not agree! I will miss you, Bob, as I'm sure so many will. Rest In Peace...

Dear Bob Crane Junior,

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your immediate family upon reading about your Holy Father's passing. I will always remember his personal Massachusetts State House Treasurer greetings.

May GOD Bless him now and forevermore,

RLP

Mary Lou and Bob,

I was so sorry to learn of your Father's passing. He was a wonderful gentleman who was a role model of so many of us who had a foot in business and politics. He raised a wonderful family and helped so many people and will be long remembered by all. As a young banker, he helped me navigate the many pitfalls of the industry and helped make our small bank a success. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

John Comerford

I hold Bob Crane responsible for saving my life. I have thanked him many times, most recently in a conversation in early December. Friendships from the early Kevin White days were gold. He came to my rescue because that is what he did for friends. My entree into the financial world was through him, and I pledged I would make him proud. Thank you Bob, my great friend. No higher compliment can I pay you. My love to Mary and his beautiful family. Betsy Flavin

To a man, a special man, who cared about people who cared about helping people in need. Bob loved life, sports and loved being alive. A man's man. There will never be another Bob Crane again. My condolences for his family as they enjoy there fondest memories of their matriak. The old saying can apply when u think of Bob, there were no flys on him. Thank God for that. A true red, white n blue human being. We were all blessed having him in our lives. Speaking on behalf for my extended family, say hello to r old friend, Joe DeNucci up there in Heaven. Rest in peace forever. His like will never be seen again. God Bless Robert Q Crane.

For me, he and his team at the Treasurer's office were devoted to high professionalism .. sorry to see him pass on ..but he had a long distinguished career in public service with that big wonderful smile and great voice..my deepest condolences to the whole Crane family.And he served our nation as a Marine. Thank you Bob.God Bless.

To the Crane Family,

I learned with deep regret the passing of Mr. Crane and wish to extend my sincere sympathies to the entire Crane Family.

His entire life was one of devotion to his family and friends through countless acts of kindness by helping others. I had the pleasure of working for the Treasurer in the 1980s and as anyone who had the chance to work for Mr. Crane "He was the best".

May the love of your family and friends comfort you in the days ahead.

With deepest sympathies,

Bill Duffy

January 8, 2018

Bob Crane was a wonderful human being with a ready laugh, a great sense of humor and a friend to all. He was universally liked and admired.

In his public professional life, Bob Crane was a superb Treasurer of the Commonwealth and guided the Commonwealth successfully through some very difficult financial times. He was tough and firm when he had to be and Wall Street respected him. As Treasurer he was always looking for ways to save money for taxpayers and to enhance Commonwealth revenues. He was cautious, made sound, practical, prudent decisions yet was open to innovative ideas if they benefited the Commonwealth's taxpayers.

Bob was one of a kind. Voters appreciated that and returned him to office time and time again. They saw that he was competent at what he did and kind-hearted too and cared about them. He was a great example of what a public servant should be.

Francis X Meaney
Charleston, SC

Very kind man.RIP Bob

Marylou,
I wanted to offer my condolences to you and your family.I only worked at the Treasury for a short time but your Dad left a lasting impression and I thought of him fondly over the years.The entertainment in Heaven just got better! God Bless.

Bob served his country with bravery and honor at Okinawa and his Commonwealth with his talent as its Treasurer for years but his greatest attribute was his faith in God and his loyalty to his friends. How fortunate were we to be numbered among them.

My deepest sympathy to all of the Crane family. I have many memories from childhood, many of which include listening to his great singing voice. My parents always mentioned the fun times they shared in Florida. May he rest in peace.

My sincerest condolences on the loss of a great dad, husband and public servant. May the Lord greet him warmly with an embrace and a " well done good and faithful servant." Fondly remember Bob at Bob Jr's game on Farlow Hill. Always with a smile....

R I P BOB CRANE

Mr. Crane served his country, his Commonwealth and his family well. Mr. Crane is a true patriot with a very kind heart. They just do not make them like that anymore. What a terrible loss for his family and close friends. He will be missed. What a terrible loss for his family and close friends

Jonathans Landing will remember Bob as the GRAND piano player and all those wonderful irish songs he would play in or lobby He also be remembered for his wonderful voice such a great man Lastly he was so kind when he was in Japan and my aunt was in a an American concentration camp (she was a nun teaching english to the children) Bob would get letters from her and mail them to my mother. What a wonderful man!

Dear Mary,

Bob was my good friend. He took me under his wing when I returned to golf after a long absence. The ups and downs we went through with golf were epic! ("Henry! Hit the damn ball, we're here for a good time, not a long time!").....

I loved Bob so very much. Love all the Crane's, our neighbors here in Wellesley!

He was a good man, a great comic and a tough competitor and I will always miss our fun at WCC.

Please know you're in my thoughts and prayers -- always. A good friend has left us ........ again. Call me for anything, anything at all. I'm right around the corner

Love,

Henry A. Malkasian, Jr.
Wellesley Hills,
Watch Hill, RI & Fort Lauderdale

My heart goes out to Mrs. Crane and her family. Treasurer Crane was a great man and the best boss I ever had. Love you Mr. Treasurer...Greg Pappas, Dracut, Ma.

My prayers and thoughts to the Crane Family. Bob was a good man and very kind to my family. Good friend to my dad (Joe O'Connell). Rest in peace, Ann Nally,Woburn,Mass.

To MaryLou, Mary & family, Bob was part of a passing trend of great men who knew an understood people. He treated myself like family an his words & advice to me will never be forgotten..To visiting him in the state house or always parking in his space under the dome are never forgotten
,great memories.CHUCK MABARDY

To Mary and the Crane Family,
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our long time friend and neighbor Bob. Please be assured that he and the Crane family will be in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this very difficult time of loss.
Jack Meehan, National President 2006-2008
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America

Dear Mary,Betty and I send our condolences to you and your family. The many years I spent working with Bob were a pleasure. Bob accomplished so much for the people of The Commonwealth from the Lottery to the T Notes. He never forgot his roots and did great constituent work. His smile and greeting always made you smile. What a gift! He was a great Guy and will be sorely missed.

To the Crane Family

Please accept my deepest deepest sympathies. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely

Michael Sullivan

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs Crane and all the Crane Family. I am so thankful for many days and thousands of laughs that I was lucky enough to have shared with Mr. Crane at JL -any day with Mr. Crane was always a special one.

Dear Marylou and Crane Family,
Kindly accept my sincere condolences with the passing of Treasurer Crane. Always a gentleman, with a smile, a firm handshake, and undivided attention, Treasurer Crane was a friend of many. He lite up a room and would have everyone singing with him. When his dear friend, Kevin White passed, no one was more respectful. Bob Crane helped everyone, me included. Thank you Bob, and God Bless you and your family.

Mary - Bob was a great guy and he will be missed. Love to you and the family - Patsy

Dear Marylou,
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I have many fond memories at your home in Wesley and of course our endless summers in Scituate. Not to mention our summer jobs at the statehouse. I understand the sadness and loss you must be experiencing. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. My love to you and your family.
Susan (McGourty) Braccio

he was my friend and always will be

Sharing in your sorrow and offering heartfelt sympathy.

A true classic Irish politician and a fun-loving guy in the public sector. Two things that have been lost in modern days. He was a great ambassador and a good friend. The Crane family could always be proud of their dad. He will be missed. God Bless, Tom Giblin

Dear Bob's family,
Bob was such a great man, a real gem! Had a wonderful sense of humor and much kindness to everyone around him. He had a strong faith in Our Lord and I'm sure he will be in the section of the Singing Angels in Heaven!
I will miss Bob very much, it was a blessing to me to have known him at E.S.R.! My prayers and blessings to all of you.
Carmen
Restorative C.N.A.

The Segal family was very fortunate to live on the same dead end street in Wellesley as the Crane family for 22 years.
Bob Crane was a very unique person- always upbeat and interested in helping others. For example, he spent countless hours entertaining elderly residents of nursing homes with the T notes, the office singing group which he formed.
As good as I considered myself at tennis, it was a very rare day when I was able to beat Bob, who was 16 years older than me, at tennis in those 6:30 am matches at the Waltham tennis club.
Bob and his great wife Mary raised 5 great children.
There is an old Jewish saying, Tikun Oman; literally translated it means try to leave the joint better than you found it.
Bob left the joint a lot better than he found it.
Terry Philip Segal, Longboat Key, Florida

Dear Mary and Family,
Bob and you were great role models for me.
When you lived downstairs at 61 Bigelow Street. Babysitting for you and hearing Bob playing the piano and. singing was uplifting .
Meeting the mayor in your living room was a surprise for me .
Bob never forgot his roots , He cared about the people .
May the Lord comfort you and the family at this sad time. Anna(Mazzola) Babin

Dear Bob's family, I am saddened to learn of his passing and express my deepest sympathy. He was a great State Treasurer and more importantly a great family man. He will be missed by his legions of friends and admirers.

Coley Foley

Bob's kindness to my father, Leno, rescued us from a terribly difficult time, so long ago.

His continued friendship earned our undying loyalty.

Bob attended Leno's Wake in Needham just a few years past, where Bob stated my dad was like a brother to him.

In fact, my younger brother was named Robert in honor of this most wonderful man.

Robert Q Crane - there are not many I hope to meet when my time, too, arrives.

But you are at the top of my list.

To all that loved Mr. Crane, I know your smiling as you reflect upon your personal relationship with Mr. Crane. Loyalty, friendship, shared success helping others help their families and their friends truly a great legacy. He reached great heights in life, and loved having Fun doing and sharing life's joy. Good news is the tales will be forever in our reflections. RIP Mr.Crane

A friend of a friend,

Brian Conway

Bob Crane was the kindest man in my life and the Nolan family's life . He loved his family so much. Mary was
The most wonderful wife and friend to everyone that knew her. It will be so greatwhen Bob says to the judge How's my Pal The gates will open !

Bob, you were very kind to the Phillips Family of Oak Square years ago. They thought the world of you as did The Hickman Family. RIP my friend and God Bless You!

To The Crane Family,

The Treasurer....Bob Crane....... was The BEST !

He was a very good Family Friend - but he was a Friend to all that met him. I tried too stay in touch over the years - and he always greeted me well.....it was always like we had spoken yesterday.

He is / was part of The Greatest Generation......doing for others as it was the right thing to do - not about self interests and gains.

I looked to The Treasurer as The Man I wished to be....always gregarious, loving, kind, caring and interested in you as a person......they just don't make men like Bob Crane these days.

On behalf of myself and my family - my thoughts and prayers are with you all......with much love !

He will be missed but definitely not forgotten......I am confident he is looking down fondly and proudly on his Family and those like myself - he impacted so greatly and thankful for Bob Crane as a Friend !

Gary

Dear Crane Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I remember the days we were neighbors on Burton St. Your mom would go looking for David, I believe he was the baby at the time, early in the morning. She didn't have to look far as he was at our house. He would sneak out of the house each morning either in diapers, sorry David lol, or in his pajamas depending on the weather for breakfast. It was so cute.
It truly was a sad day for us when you moved.
God bless you all.
My deepest sympathy,

DEAR MARY AND FAMILY,

PAT AND I WERE SORRY TO HEAR OF BOB'S PASSING. I FIRST

MET BOB IN 1963 WHEN I WAS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF

REPRESANTIVES FROM CAMBRIDGE. BACK IN THOSE DAYS WE

BOTH SUPPORTED THE LATE JOHN FORBES THOMPSON OF

LUDLOW FOR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND WE BECAME FRIEND

IN 1964 AS BOB ALWAYS SAID I BECAME ONE OF HIS EARLIEST

SUPPORTERS IN THE HOUSE TO HIS ELECTION AS STATE

TREASURE. THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASS IS MUCH BETTER

TODAY BECAUSE OF HIS LEADERSHIP AS THE STATE TREASURE.

BE ASSURED WE WILL KEEP BOB AND YOUR FAMILY IN OUR

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AT MASS THIS WEEKEND HERE IN

FLORIDA. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

Bob was one of a kind! If all the people he helped showed up for his funeral they would need Gillette Stadium. The piano has been wheeled out and my parents are singing along just like the old days.