NORWAY – Dunton Crane, 81, slipped from this world early, the morning of Nov. 23, 2022 at his home in Norway.

Born Feb. 20, 1941 in Waterville, he was third of four children of Robert A. and Margaret Dunton Crane. He was educated in Caribou and Norway schools, graduating from Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Va.

Dunton attended college at Boston University before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1960. He served as a radioman in the land based Naval Air Squadron VP22, Sea of Japan patrol based at Barbers Point NAS on Oahu. The squadron had a lengthy deployment to Japan, with shorter deployments throughout the Central Pacific. After his discharge in 1964, he attended Wentworth Institute graduating with a degree in Electronic Technology. He worked for IBM, the majority of his career spent in Raleigh, N.C. where he and his wife raised their family.

Fisherman, cook, sports fan, mechanic, computer guru, fix-it and gadget guy. His children learned much colorful language from the time spent in his garage on car rebuilds and repairs. Dunton had a love of boats and being on the water, from summer camp, to the cottage on Norway Lake, to time spent on the North Carolina coast with his family and friends, to piloting a party boat while on vacation in Hancock County. In earlier years he enjoyed fishing from his boat on the Inter Coastal Waterway, his daughter says Bears Island was a frequented spot. He liked meals with family and friends and cheering for all Boston and North Carolina State sports teams.

After retiring and a divorce, Dunton divided his time between Maine, mostly in the Rockland area and the Carolinas, Wadmalaw Island near Charleston was a favorite place. Eventually settled back in Norway, he enjoyed just being in his “perfect house”, grilling a good steak or seafood, picnics by any body of water, watching birds and deer, family visits, classic country music, a vodka tonic and a good western movie.

Beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and stepfather, he is survived by his wife, Julie; daughter, Kristen Crane, Holly Watkins (Keith), Kelly McDonald (Patrick), son, Travis (Jelynn); sister, Rebecca Rafferty, brother, Robert (Kathy); stepchildren Anne Hermans (Michael Vandemark), and Joseph Hermans; grandchildren Andrew, Kiera, Avery, Jamie and Carson, step-grandchildren Violette and Finley; brother-in-law, David Billings (Becky); nieces, nephews; and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Dunton was predeceased by sister, Margaret “Peg” Coyne and brother-in-law, John Rafferty.

No services will be held at this time. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris. Online condolences may be shared with his family at http://www.chandlerfunerals.com

We wish to thank Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, although Dunton was not a recent client, months of dedicated oversight gave him several more years of life and love for which we were ever grateful.

Donations in his memory may be sent to

Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, Development Office,

15 Strawberry Ave.,

Lewiston, ME 04240

Copy the Story Link