Mark F. Crane - Obituary

ark Francis Crane, 83, passed away on August 1, 2021 at his home in Annapolis, MD. Born in June of 1938 in Annapolis, MD to the late Leo Crane and Frances O’Neill Crane, Mark’s father was tragically killed that same year when his Navy plane crashed off KaenaPoint, Oahu, HI while flying a patrol mission. He was raised with boundless love by his mother, Frankie, and his older sister, Patsy. Mark attended St. Mary’s School and eventually followed in his father’s footsteps and attended the US Naval Academy, where he earned a well-deserved reputation as an athlete, prankster and respected young leader. After the Naval Academy, Mark went on to serve many years in the Navy fleet aboard destroyers. He attended the Navy Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA and eventually returned to the Naval Academy as a math and engineering professor, being a favored teacher among the Midshipmen. After retiring from the Navy, Mark worked in private industry only to return to the Naval Academy for his “dream job”, as the financial head in funding appropriations. He retired in 1998. Mark was the devoted and loving husband of Patricia Shea Crane. They were married in June 1963 shortly after his graduation from the USNA and were happily married for 58 years. Together they raised six children and enjoyed spending time with their family and their grandchildren. Mark’s sense of humor, quiet charisma, unassuming intellect and continuous pursuit to never take life too seriously was loved by all. In his later years, he was most content attending daily Mass,strolling the grounds of the Academy with Pat and relaxing on the porch in the evening for happy hour with a Sam Adams in hand. Mark is survived by his wife, Patricia Shea Crane; his children, Marcus Crane, Jennifer (Todd) Kousky, John (Meg) Crane, Annie (Bill) James, Kristina (Kristian) Marquez and Leo (Claire) Crane; his siblings Patsy Nuss, Francie Filkins, Ramie Sakal and Michael Sweeney, 27 grandchildren and many extended family members. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Leo O. Crane and Johnny Sweeney. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 Bestgate Rd., Annapolis, MD on Monday, August 9 at 10:30 am. Interment will be at the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium at a later date. Condolences may be made by using the tab on this page.