HAROLD PATRICK “ROOKIE” CRANE, JR.

Harold Patrick “Rookie” Crane, Jr, age 92 years and a resident of Jefferson, LA, passed away on the morning of August 14, 2017. He was born in New Orleans, LA on November 29, 1924, the only child of Harold Patrick Crane, Sr. of New Orleans, LA and Margaret Messina Crane of New Orleans, LA who predeceased him. Rookie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Clare Bordes Crane of Jefferson, and his sons, John P. Crane and Stephen M. Crane. He was the grandfather of Jessica Crane Yuratich, Shannon A. Crane, Kathleen C. Crane, and Stephen P. Crane. He was also the great-grandfather of Maxwell Yuratich, Scarlett Swanner, and Viper Baker.
Rookie grew up in Mid-City New Orleans and entered the military immediately after high school graduation. He served our country bravely as a member of a US Marine Corps detachment in the Pacific Theater in World War II, receiving several medals and commendations, and leaving the Marines as a Sergeant with an honorable discharge. He was a graduate of Loyola University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and served for 17 years as the Assistant Personnel Director for the Maison Blanche retail stores in the New Orleans area. Rookie later held several positions for the Guaranty Homestead in New Orleans over a 9-year career there, including branch manager.
All knew of his deep lifelong passion for vocal music performance, entertaining both young and old with his rich baritone/bass tone in operatic renditions, popular show tunes, and serenades, often accompanied in duets by his wife Clare, also an accomplished vocalist. Rookie performed all over New Orleans, singing his way into the hearts of thousands along the way, including the New Orleans Opera House (where he first met Clare), NORD (light opera and musical comedy), Jesuit Church, Loyola University, Carrollton Presbyterian Church, and countless other venues. While at Maison Blanche, he co-produced and sang on the “Christmas with Mr. Bingle and Santa” recording. His voice of Santa was heard in the Maison Blanche Christmas display windows along with Mr. Bingle over the years.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to the Memorial Funeral Mass at 12:15 PM, in the J. Garic Chapel of JACOB SCHOEN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA on Monday, August 21, 2017. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and continue until Mass time. Interment will follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery, New Orleans, LA. Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenfh.com

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