Phillip Crane sadly passed away on 14 June at Manor House in Middleton, aged 94.
His funeral will take place at 12.30pm on 7 July at the Albert Munn Chapel at Kettering Crematorium.
Phillip Crane was born in 1928 in Middleton and lived opposite the blacksmith’s. He had six brothers and sisters with his parents Walter and Hilda Crane. He moved to Berryfield Road at an early age where he lived over 50 years.
After his time at Cottingham school, Phil began working at East Carlton Rectory before National Service with the 11th Air Formation Signals in Wesendorf in Germany. One day the battalion was inspected by Queen Elizabeth, and Phil was proud to shake hands with Her Majesty.
After his Service, Phil was employed by Corby Development Corporation carrying out general housing maintenance. His interests in life included breeding birds; he had a collection of budgies, canaries and cockatiels. He was a big fan of the singer Jim Reeves. He also wrote poetry and was published in the Kettering Council newsletter several times.
Later in life, Phil met Gladys and the couple were happily married for 15 years, before Gladys passed away. Phil moved back to Middleton, from Kettering, to stay in the Manor House, where he found the staff friendly, caring and helpful, and with whom he enjoyed a laugh.
And so, Phil’s life ended just a few metres from where it started 94 years before.