Michael B. "Mike" Crandall

1960 - 2023

North Stonington - Michael B. "Mike" Crandall, age 63, died Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. An accomplished and well-respected local blues harmonica player, Mike was stricken ill while performing in Montville. Despite the courageous efforts and quick response by many in attendance, Mike later passed away peacefully at Hartford Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Mike was born March 29, 1960, in New London, and spent his youth in North Stonington. He attended Wheeler High School. Mike was a fun-loving, incredibly charismatic and social young man who created and maintained many friendships with lasting bonds. To Mike, friends were family and a source of great comfort and companionship throughout his life, but especially in his youth. His love of music was evident as a teen as he often walked through the streets of town, enthusiastically practicing his harmonica. He loved attending concerts and would often hitchhike to various music festivals.

Mike moved to Woodbridge, Va., in 1984, and it was there that he began working in the construction field, developing his skills as an impressive builder/carpenter. After returning to the North Stonington area years later, Mike worked for many years building and renovating homes. He later moved to Massachusetts, and worked as a subcontractor for Astonishing Decks, creating some of the most exquisite and complex decks imaginable. Mike had an array of talents and areas of interest. Music was first and foremost, but he was a phenomenal football, basketball, horseshoe and pool player. He enjoyed fishing with his brother, Mark, the NHRA Drag Races and was a fan of the UConn Huskies women's basketball team, as well as the New England professional sports teams, especially the Patriots. He loved good barbecue, old movies and animals, especially his cats, Ella and Toby, and his beloved dog, Sinbad. He enjoyed attending concerts near and far, often taking road trips to see his favorite artists like Carlos Santana, the Outlaws and Jeff Beck to name a few. In 1992, Mike's persistence on the harmonica paid off and he established the Mike Crandall Band and performed countless shows throughout New England. He released three CD's entitled "Black Rain," "Just Livin' the Blues" and "Deep Blue C."

Mike and his band received many accolades, including winning the CT Blues Challenge three times, as well as Blues challenges in both Boston, and New Hampshire. He and his band were two-time finalists in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, placing third and tenth out of hundreds of musical acts from around the world. Mike gave everything he had to everything he did and everyone he loved. He passed away doing what he enjoyed most in this world - performing. He lived life authentically, genuinely and with no regrets.

Mike leaves behind the "love of his life" and longtime domestic partner Kelly Gillespie; her two sons, Jonathan and Jared Robert; his mother Terry Plotts; a brother, Mark McNeil and his wife Diane "Dee" McNeil; his brother Alan Crandall and his wife Theresa; his aunt and uncle, Jean and Fred Dragoli; his aunt and uncle, Janet and Bruce MacDonald; an uncle, Gordon MacDonald; his cousins, Kim Capizzano and Jeffrey A. Capizzano and his wife Wendy and their son Jeffrey D. Capizzano; as well as his countless dedicated and close friends; and his chosen brother Danny Maguire, with whom he has shared a friendship for over 50 years.

Following cremation, a Celebration of Life, which will include a musical tribute by many of Mike's fellow blues musicians, will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at the Old Well Tavern in Simsbury.