James R. "Bob" Craney Sr.

Franklin - James "Bob" R. Craney Sr., 80, of Lebanon Road, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, at his home with his family by his side.

He was born in Norwich, on May 6, 1933, son of the late James H. and Mary (McNally) Craney.

Bob served his country honorably in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 and in the reserves until 1961. Mr. Craney graduated from NFA in 1952, and attended college at the University of New Haven. He worked at General Dynamics for 40 years, retiring in 1995. Bob started as a machinists apprentice and retired as job senior planner and the coordinator of the outside machinists apprenticeship program. He was a communicant of St. John's Church in Bozrah and a former member of the Bozrah Rod and Gun Club and the EB Management Club.

On Aug. 2, 1958, he was united in marriage to Mary "Lee" Murphy at St. Mary Church in Norwich. Mrs. Craney survives her husband of 55 years.

Bob was predeceased by a son, James Craney Jr., who died in 1987.

In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his sons, Thomas A. and his wife, Lynda Craney, of Franklin and Michael J. and his wife, Lisa Craney, of Franklin; grandchildren, Steven, Carl, Christopher, Amber, Cody Craney, and Brendon Everett; and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Cummings-Gagne Funeral Home, 82 Cliff St., Norwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. John Mission Church in Bozrah. Interment with military honors will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360 or St. John Mission Church, c/o Sacred Heart Church, 52 West Town St., Norwich, CT 06360.

To share a condolence of a memory with the family please visit, www.cummings-gagnefh.com.