David Cranmer, 75, has left the ground crew to join the great gig in the sky. Knowing that heaven has a hell of a band, he has gone to play music with all the musicians who have gone before him and to welcome into the band those who will come after.
He will play his many guitars with hands that are pain free and a body that can once again move freely, hitting all those notes that were so troublesome to his earthly fingers.
Before departing for the “big band”, David lived in Ocala, FL, with his wife Allison. They retired there after spending nearly 30 years in Vermont, their spiritual home and a place more special to them than can be put into words.
Born in Endicott, NY, to Donald Cranmer and Patricia Hastings Cranmer, David was the oldest of 6 boys, the “crown prince” of the family, the first-born male to carry on the Cranmer name.
David was active in the school band, playing saxophone and then leading as Drum Major. In 1964, after seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, David traded his sax for a guitar and never looked back.
Professionally, David started in the mail room at Combined Life Insurance Company, working is way up and through the Marketing, Sales and Human Resources departments. It was here that he learned about PMA – Positive Mental Attitude – which he practiced throughout his life and which he shared with others, helping them to live their best lives.
His PMA was challenged in 1999 when he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). He underwent a bone marrow transplant in March of 2000 with cells donated by his youngest brother Jon (good thing his parents had 6 kids!). The transplant and follow-up treatment beat the leukemia and changed David’s path in life. He left his job as an educational television producer to become a patient advocate for cancer survivors.
Recognizing a need for support by cancer survivors in Vermont, he co-founded the Vermont Cancer Survivor Network with a fellow transplant survivor. David’s goal was to help one cancer survivor every day. He will never know just how many lives he touched, but it was far more than one a day. Throughout the rest of his life, he would advocate for cancer survivors in many ways and continue to spread his positive attitude to help others however he could.
David’s hobbies were varied and always fun for him. He was a Redcoat in the 23rd Regiment of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, taking part in Revolutionary War reenactments. He planned road trips throughout New England for his fellow PT Cruiser friends. He collected blimps and zeppelins and guitars and robots. He loved music and was the guy you wanted on your team at trivia night.
David is remembered and loved by his wife Allison, his son Jaimison and his wife Julie, his two amazing grandkids Thomas and Natalie, his brothers Mike (and Tawny), Tom (and Bany), Donnie and Jon (and Maureen), and so many nieces, nephews, friends, cousins, sisters-in-law and others who had the good fortune to be part of his life. His brother Roger left this earth too soon; perhaps he’s playing in that “big band” too.
When David was diagnosed with CML, his transplant doctor asked him what his goal was. David responded, “I want to live to be an old man.” As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for! David would later joke that he didn’t realize he’d grow old so disgracefully. Despite being diagnosed with ALS a year before he left us, David did, indeed, live to be an old man.
There are so many healthcare professionals who cared for David throughout this life. We send a heartfelt thank you to all of them for helping him become that old man and for dedicating their lives to helping others achieve their goals, whatever they may be.
Please consider a contribution to the ALS Association, Team Gleason, or your local Hospice.
When you see the sun rise, or when it comes out from behind the clouds, hum “Here Comes the Sun” to yourself and know that David is shining his positive light on you.
Rock on David. Can’t wait to be with you again.