Obituary: James J Crane

James J. Crane, 72 of Montclair, died on Friday, June 26, 2019 after a short illness.

Jim “Jocko” “Craner” Crane was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. before moving to Montclair in 1972. After graduating from Manhattan College, Mr. Crane honorably served in the Marine Corp Reserves. He also received his master’s of business administration degree from New York University, which he pursued while working a a marketing executive for IBM. He remained at IBM for his entire career before retiring in 1998. 

Mr. Crane was active in his community, volunteering with his wife at the Montclair Human Needs Pantry and participating in the town softball league. He was also an avid golfer, enjoying his days on the course with friends. Anyone who spent time with him was likely exposed to his never-ending re-telling of spectacularly poor jokes and unfailing devotion to the NY Jets. He was never shy about highlighting his time on the Brooklyn Mariners or his shining moment when he caught a pass from the legendary Joe Namath while he played with the NY Jets. 

He rarely missed a lacrosse, soccer, field hockey game or swim meet and was always one of the loudest “cheerleaders,” even if he didn’t know what he was cheering for.

Mr. Crane is survived by his wife, Lynn (nee Peterson) his children; James S. Crane and wife Kathy, Jennifer Crane and husband Lee Thompson; his grandchildren, Madeline, Emily and Meghan Crane and Hannah Thompson; as well as his niece Ashley Cosgrove and a large extended family.

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 1, at Caggiano Memorial Home, 62 Grove St., Montclair. A Mass of Requiem will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2 at St. Cassian Church, 187 Bellevue Ave., Montclair. Graveside memorial to follow at The Presbyterian Church of Upper Montclair, 53 Norwood Ave. 

Donations in memory of James J Crane may be made to the Human Needs Food Pantry, 9 Label St. or visit humanneedsfoodpantry.org.