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Paul M. Crane was born on 1/19/1916 in Elizabeth, New Jersey and lived on 241 Purchase Street in Rye, New York (Street View). Rye was a small town with a population of only 9,865 people. Paul lived with his Father Leslie, his Mother Cora, his sister Olive, and his brother John. His father was head of the house and rented it for $53 a month ($1,007 a month in today’s money). Paul’s mother attended 2 years of high school and was a homemaker, and his father attended a year of high school and worked as a real estate agent. Paul completed all 4 years of high school graduating Rye High School in 1934 and worked as a clerk. He enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
Paul was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1934. During high school Paul was a star student and an intense tennis player. Paul played tennis for the high school and received rewards for his gameplay.
Paul put up a perfect attendance record, was selected several times as a Rye High School honor student, and was praised by the senior committee for his contribution to the “Stage Coach” Rye's annual yearbook. He also enjoyed acting and participated in plays from his youth at Milton Elementary School and later on at Rye High School .
Before enlisting in the navy for World War II in 1942, Paul attended the American Institute of Banking in NYC and was employed by The Bank of New York.
Paul married his wife, Dorothy Evelyn, in October of 1942 before enlisting in WWII and would later have a son, Jeffrey, and a daughter, Judy.
Paul enlisted in WWII in 1942 and served in the U.S. Navy. At age 26, he graduated from recruiting training as honor man of his company in Great Lakes Naval Training in Chicago. Afterwards, he taught storekeepers class at the same location. Paul also served in Pearl Harbor.
After the war, Paul returned to banking in NYC and then North Bennington at the former First National Bank (Now Catamount National Bank) as a cashier. He later retired in 1978 as vice president.
Additionally, Paul served as a caretaker for Edward Phillips in North Bennington with his wife. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bennington and Federated Church in East Arlington. Paul continued with his banking talents by working as a treasurer for the Methodist Church, Village of North Bennington, McCollough Library, and Paran Recreations. In his free time, he enjoyed tennis, ice skating, cross-country skiing, golfing, and traveling.
Paul M. Crane passed peacefully at Prospect Nursing Home on Nov. 13, 2011, he was 95 years old. At the time of his death Paul’s memory was continued through his wife, two children, two grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and his service.
Will Puzzuoli
Rye High School Class of 2024
Sources: Census Records, Rye Chronicles, Enlistment Record, Obituary
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