NORWICH – Evan P. Crandall, 91, life-long Norwich resident and well-known and respected bowler, passed away Friday afternoon, April 4, 2008 in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
The only child of Charles and Hattie Mae (Packer) Crandall, Evan was born in Norwich in July of 1916. He was a 1935 graduate of the Norwich High School and later served his country during World War II, joining the U.S. Army Air Corps. Returning home after his honorable discharge in 1947, Evan returned to his career in the retail shoe business. He worked for Mathewson and White, which later became Urlwin’s Shoe Store, for 50+ years until the late 1980s when they closed their doors. He then went to work for Stanard’s Shoe Store from which he subsequently retired in 1996.
During his life, Evan was noted for excellence in two areas. He had a marvelous baritone voice and was associated with the Monday Evening Musical Club for a number of years, performing many solos and duets. He was also a member of a quartet performing in the local area. During his Army career, he sang with the USO and performed at church services wherever he was stationed and had the distinction of being the soloist at a service attended by President Harry Truman.
Evan was also known for his bowling prowess, having been the first man to bowl a perfect 300 game. This record, achieved in 1940, was not accomplished again until 1968. He was elected to the Norwich Bowling Association’s original class of 1971 Hall of Fame as a life member. He was the last surviving original inductee. He was Norwich Bowling Association Secretary for over 50 years, and ran the city’s bowling tournaments during those years. When his son Jim was elected to the Hall of Fame in the 1990s, they were the first father and son in the Hall. Evan was also an avid fan of the New York Yankees, the Cleveland Browns, and the Lakers, and would sometimes have two radios and a television going at the same time with a different game on each.
Evan is survived by his children: Brenda Coffaro and husband Louis of Redwood City, Calif., Linda DeLong and husband Douglas of Norwich, and James Crandall of North Norwich. He is also survived by his grandchildren and their spouses: Theresa and Gerald Villorente, Matthew and Kelly Coffaro, David and Venessa Coffaro, Sarah and Craig Thomas, Bruce and Melissa Osterhout, Tim and Elizabeth Osterhout, Brian and Jeani Crandall, and Jeffery and Brandi Crandall; two step-granddaughters and their spouses, Pamela and Robert Rothwell and Melinda and Rick Condon; and 19 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Evan will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Rick Gould, pastor of the Temple Baptist Church, will officiate. Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Broad St. United Methodist Church, 74 North Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815.