George E Cranston

George E. Cranston, 92, in Stamford, CT, November 15. George was born in Brooklyn, NY to Rufus F. and Elizabeth L. (Wheeler) Cranston. He attended La Salle Academy, Manhattan College, and Columbia University School of Engineering where he earned his degree in civil engineering. George served in the Navy during World War II and attained the rank of Lieutenant. He served in the Pacific Theater as a civil engineer. In 1950 he married Jeannette M. Farrell, also of Brooklyn, and they lived for over two decades in Baldwin (Town of Hempstead), NY with their five children. Since the early 70s he and Jeannette made their home in Stamford, CT. He worked as a foreman on the construction of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel in New York, as a chemical engineer for many years at Chemico in New York, and was later President of Peabody Process Systems in Connecticut. In his work he quietly changed the lives and improved the health of millions of people around the world as a pioneer in the industrial air pollution control business.

A devout lifelong Roman Catholic, George was an active and beloved member of the Emmaus Community in Stamford, CT for over forty years. He was known for his quiet and unassuming generosity, providing expert assistance with home repairs and other tasks for his friends, neighbors, and community members. He was an active volunteer for Adopt-a-House and Habitat for Humanity, helping restore abandoned buildings to create permanent homes for low-income families. He lived his last four years of life at Edgehill in Stamford, where he was a warm and caring presence in many residents’ lives.

George enjoyed an active life, filled with travel, racquetball, and especially golf. He was a longtime member of the Country Club of Darien. George was a man of integrity, respected colleague and employer, a great friend, devoted husband, gentlemanly companion, and terrific father.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Jeannette. He is survived by his children, Jane of New York, NY, Peter of Dunwoody, GA, Judy of Rochester, NY, Kevin of Boston, MA, and Meg of Los Angeles, CA, grandchildren Peter, Catherine, and Amber Cranston, and Spenser Kuipers, and his many friends and community members. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Church of St. Cecilia in Stamford, November 18 at 11 AM. Visiting hours will be held November 17 from 3-5 PM and 7-9 PM at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 203-327-1313. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in George’s honor to the Emmaus Catholic Community, attn: Chester Wickett, 104 Newfield Drive, Stamford, CT 06905 www.emmausstamford.org