In the hearts of those who loved you, you will always be.
Obituary
Leon Jesse Crane, a beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2024, at the age of 82 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Born on July 12, 1942, Leon was a cherished soul who touched the lives of many with his kindness and generosity.
Leon is survived by his wife, Gail, with whom he shared many years of marriage and adventures, and his son, Darren.
A hardworking and talented individual, Leon possessed a remarkable aptitude and experience in various trades. His dexterous hands and keen mind could turn any project into a success, and his practical skills were admired by all who knew him. His love for living in the west, which he fully embraced later in life, was a testament to his adventurous spirit and passion for life's simple pleasures.
Leon will be remembered for his warmth, his unwavering generosity, and the profound kindness he showed to everyone he met. His life was a masterpiece painted with hard work, love, and endless generosity. Though he will be deeply missed, Leon's legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
His family invites all who knew Leon to honor his memory by remembering the laughter, love, and lessons he shared with each of them. While he may have departed this world, the impact of his life and love will remain forever.
Eulogies
My dad, Leon, was a man of many talents, passions, and strengths. He grew up in Oak Ridge, New Jersey, with his two sisters, Connie and Linda. Some of his fondest memories must have been about adventures on Greenwood Lake and cruising around in his Pontiac GTO – because he told me about them often!
Over the course of his life, my dad pursued a variety of professions, from working alongside his father, George, as an electrician, to studying air conditioning and refrigeration at Lincoln Tech. He worked with his father-in-law (my Grandpa John) in plumbing and heating, served as a mechanic at several car dealerships, and even serviced coffee machines for Green Mountain Coffee. It seemed like there wasn’t a job he couldn’t master. He had an incredible ability to quickly understand problems, find solutions, and execute them to perfection.
One of the most remarkable examples of his ability was when he single-handedly built an addition to our home. The building and electrical inspectors were amazed at the quality and thoroughness of the work and asked “who did this?” and he was proud to say it was him. That summed up who he was—a man who approached every challenge with skill, determination, precision, and no fear.
Dad’s talents weren’t just limited to trades and professions. He had a lifelong dream of living in the western United States, a dream he was able to realize with his wife, Gail. Together, they made their home in New Mexico, where he found immense joy in the beauty of the desert, the unique culture, and even the simple pleasures, like choosing between red or green chilies at a restaurant.
But Dad wasn’t just defined by his skills and accomplishments; he was a kind, generous, and outgoing soul who loved to help others. He had a way of making people feel supported, often putting their needs above his own. His stories—sometimes unbelievable, but almost always true—were legendary, and even if you’d heard them a dozen times, you couldn’t help but smile as he told them.
One of the things I’ll always cherish about my dad was his ability to share in the interests of others. If you were excited about something, he’d find a way to share that excitement with you. He loved his dogs over the years, but not every animal left a good impression—like the pet hamster of mine that he tried to snuggle with, but instead immediately pierced his ear with an uninvited bite!
He was also incredibly generous, sometimes to a fault. I remember moments when he helped people who didn’t always reciprocate, but that never stopped him from moving forward with a generous spirit.
Dad’s love of classic foods was another enduring part of who he was. I’ll never forget the time Ellen and I made him ham and scalloped potatoes. While he cleaned his plate, he gently explained how much better the potato dish would be if we’d left out the cheese and added more milk—essentially turning it into the version scalloped potatoes his mother (Grammy) used to make. It was a perfect example of his reverence for the classics.
As I reflect on my dad’s life, I realize how much of who I am today is because of him. Whether I’m changing out an outlet, negotiating a contract, or solving a complex problem for a client, I carry with me the lessons and skills he taught me. His knowledge, his approach to challenges, and his respect for people continue to guide me every day.
Dad, I know you can hear me, and I want to say how much I love you. I’m deeply sorry we were apart at the time of your passing, but I hope you know how much you meant to me and how proud I am to call you my father. Your life and contributions are something to be celebrated, and I’ll honor your legacy every day. I love you, Dad.
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Memory wall
Rest in peace.
It was this fun and joyful disposition that I will remember most about Uncle Leon.
He was ever the teacher, building, electrical, automotive, plumbing… he could sort out any problem and explain it to any who would care to learn. The amount of time he spent teaching me can’t be measured. His patience while teaching was legendary.
His memory and his instruction will live on in me. Rest in peace dearest Uncle Leon.
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