Obituary: Philip H. Crane  

On February 12, 2018, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Philip visiting the World War II memorial in Washington DC in 2011.

July 3, 1922 – February 8, 2018
Philip H. Crane, a fixture in Somerville’s Davis Square business community for 50 years, died at his home in Naples, Florida, on February 8, 2018. He was 95 years old. Mr. Crane was the long-time owner of the Wedgwood Crane Insurance Agency (now Wedgwood-Crane & Connolly). He was an active member of the local Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Kiwanis Club.  Mr. Crane called himself a proud product of the 1930’s depression.

Philip was one of nine children born on a farm in New Brunswick, Canada. They immigrated to Somerville, Massachusetts at a time when depressed farm prices forced many family farms out of business. He sold newspapers door to door from the age of 10 at a time when every penny was counted and saved. He grew up to run his business and personal life on those conservative principles. Even after achieving financial success he used to say, “just because you have it doesn’t mean you should spend it.”  Philip was a member of the “greatest generation,” a World War II veteran, who served in Europe and witnessed the Nazi War Crimes trials in Nurenberg.  Philip retired to Naples, Florida with his wife Marion, a former school teacher in Milton, Massachusetts. She died in 2003. Philip is survived by his youngest sister, Marjorie Sutcliffe, and several nieces and nephews.

Philip in front of this beachfront condo in Naples, FL in 2007.

 

1 Response » to “Obituary: Philip H. Crane  ”

  1. Lew Allison says:

    My friend Charlie Ryan, one of Philip’s nephews and a friend of mine since our days as journalists covering Vietnam, let me know about his uncle’s death. I felt I knew Philip from the times Charlie mentioned their very close relationship to me over the years.

    I especially liked the photos, which I suppose Charlie might have taken.

    Thank you for printing this nice portrait of Philip Crane.