Walter J. Crane, 80

Hudson - Walter J. Crane, 80, died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007 at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

He leaves his wife of 49 years, Jacqueline (Miner) Crane; his daughter, Alison Padula and her husband, Christopher; his sisters, Eleanor Crane Smith, Norma Abbott and Lorraine Arena; his sister-in- law, Charlotte Crane; his grandchildren, Danielle, Sydney, Mackenzie, Harrison, Olivia and Jackson Padula; and nieces and nephews.

Born in Lexington, the son of Thomas and Edith (Bangs) Crane, he was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

Mr. Crane worked for many years as a Union mason throughout the state until his retirement.

He was an honorary life member of the Hudson Lodge of Elks, serving on the Bingo Committee, and was also active on many other committees during his membership. He was honored as the Elk of the Year in 1984-1985 and also spent 24 years as Santa Claus during the Elks holiday gatherings. He was a member of the Wayland Country Club in Wayland and acted as the Dean of the Fairways at the club.

A mass of Christian burial was celebrated Nov. 10 from St. Michael's Church in Hudson, with burial at Bourne VA National Cemetery. The Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home of Hudson directed arrangements.