Roger M. Crandall

Roger Crandall, of Eden Heights in Olean, NY passed away on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Bradford Pavilion. Roger was born in Jamestown, NY, on March 16, 1927 to the late Doris and Herman Crandall. He married his childhood sweetheart, Norma Jean (LeRoy) on August 6, 1949. She passed away in November of 2014 and not a day went by in those four years, when he didn’t lament her passing.

Mr. Crandall was a proud veteran of the US Armed Forces, serving in post-war Germany. He also did some boxing while serving. Following his discharge, he and Norma relocated to Central NY so Roger could attend Cortland State College where he wrestled and studied to become a Physical Education Teacher. While he attended classes, Norma would listen to Yankee games on the radio and keep the games’ scorebook for him. When he graduated, Roger and Norma moved their young family back to western New York and he began his career as a PE teacher and coach at Norma and his alma mater, Panama Central School. They soon moved on and for 12 years, Roger was a PE Teacher, Coach and Athletic Director at West Valley Central School. He developed summer and winter activities in the community and was a catcher in the Merchant Baseball League. Roger and Norma moved their family once again, this time to Salamanca, NY, where he spent more than 20 years as a PE Teacher, Coach and Athletic Director. In his first year there, he coached Salamanca’s Boys Basketball to their first ‘Section VI’ title, and in his third year, the Boys Basketball team went on to win their second ‘Section VI’ title with a 20-1 season record. During his career, Mr. Crandall coached football, basketball, baseball, track and field, and cross-country track. He was honored to be inducted into the Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame, for coaching in both West Valley and Salamanca. He was also proud of his induction into the West Valley Central School Hall of Fame. For 12 years, Roger worked as the Summer Park Manager at Onoville Marina.

Mr. Crandall was a former member of the United Congregational Methodist Church in Salamanca. In his retirement, he became a self-taught wood carver, specializing in birds and ducks. Roger was very committed to his family and nothing pleased him more than watching his grandchildren play sports. He and Norma tried to attend as many of their sporting events as possible.

Surviving are four sons: Rick (Cindy) Crandall of Great Valley, Gary Crandall of Lucasville, OH, Bob (Karen) Crandall of Great Valley, Bill (Judy) of Dupont, WA; and a daughter, Sherry (Jeff) Torge of Great Valley. He had thirteen grandchildren, John Crandall, Kate Althans, Ryanne John, Kim Nicholson, Tina Smith, Greg Crandall, Molly Perry, Mike Crandall, Cassie Crandall, Matt Crandall, Andy Crandall, Teresa Cox, and Jeff Butterfield. He also had fifteen great-grandchildren, a brother, Dennis (Susan) Crandall of Boston, NY, two sisters, Donna Wallen and Debbie Crandall, both of Jamestown, NY; and several nieces and nephews. A sister, Lucille Potts and a brother, Herman Crandall, Jr, predeceased him.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Funeral Home, on River Street in Salamanca, NY, on Sunday, October 28, 2018 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Monday, October 29, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Dave McCarthy, retired pastor of the Gerry Free Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be at Green Cemetery, Great Valley, NY.

Full Military Honors will be conducted at the funeral home by members of The American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post #535 and Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post #5296.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the West Valley Central School’s “Roger Crandall Memorial Heart & Hustle Scholarship Award.” Checks should be made out to “West Valley Central School” and may be sent to, 5359 School St, West Valley, NY 14171

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh