Alvin D. Crandall

Al was born April 26, 1944, in Jamestown, the son of the late Harland and Goldie Liddicoat Crandall. Al is survived by his wife and life-long partner, Donna Mendrick of Silver Spring, Maryland; two sisters, Doris (Kenneth) Williamson of Falconer, N.Y. and Sylvia Nelson of Monroe, NC; and several nieces and nephews.

He was a graduate of Falconer High School and Alfred State College with a degree in Agriculture. In his early years, Al, along with his father Harland owned and operated Crandall Dairy Farm on Buffalo Street, Ext. After Al’s father passed away, Al continued the dairy farm and – luckily — worked for Don Mendrick’s T&C, Inc., servicing gas stations which is how he met the love of his life, Donna.

In 1980, to enable Donna’s professional development, Al and Donna moved to the Boston area where Al ran his own enterprise. They initially lived in a basement apartment where Al attempted to grow asparagus (the man had a sense of humor and great determination) before they bought their first home in a suburb where Al could enjoy the outdoors again. It was during this time that Al and Donna became certified scuba divers and enjoyed a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Their next moves crossed the Mason/Dixon line to the Washington, D.C./Maryland area, then Arkansas, and then back to Maryland. In Maryland, Al worked in landscaping with his mighty copilot, Zack (the first of their collies, labs and other dogs).

Al was a voracious reader, with an inquisitive mind and adventurous spirit, and wore many hats (caps, for which he was known). He was a truly good friend and family member – always willing to help out and enjoyed the annual family summer reunions. Al was an accomplished carpenter, and he enjoyed landscaping and woodworking (e.g., building furniture and making wooden toys for Toys for Tots and family children). Al’s love of animals, and they of him, continued over the decades and he had many dogs (silly ones, smart ones and well … ‘other’ ones) over the years. Al regularly beat more highly “degreed” people at Trivial Pursuit- a lesson to us all! In spite of their being defeated at his hands so many times, everyone remembers him for his rosy cheeks, good heart and open mind, and he will be deeply missed by all.

A memorial service will be held at a later date as will the interment at Allen Cemetery, Jamestown, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity.

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