Frank Cramm

Sadly I was recently informed Frank Cramm passed away in November 2015. I had never met him but we emailed back and forth a bit about the family tree and he sent me some photos. He stopped responding and I assumed it was because it became more difficult with his MS, however, it appears he fell ill.

My mother was the same age and always told me stories about Frank from when they were young. He sounded like someone I would have really liked to know. It is too bad we did not live in the same province. She always told me about him when I was young. She told me how he was always studying and how he worked himself through University. She says he was crazy smart, kind hearted and had a wicked sense of humor. She said he had this great wavy hair (which you can see in the photos) but he shaved it all off as a joke the night before his wedding and his wife was furious. I take everything my Mom says with a grain of salt, so who knows if that is true or not, but I have seen discussions about him on some of the Newfoundland social media sites recently and everyone seems to have loved him.

Here is his obit, along with some older photos. 

Frank with his parents, Fanny and Cam.

My Mom, Norma Loder in photo above and below. Taken while visiting Old Perlican.

Frank on the rocks of Old Perlican, Newfoundland. He has a book in front of him and my Mother says he studied all summer for University. He eventually became Dr. Frank Cramm. My Mother said he hated being called "Doctor". I wish I could have had the opportunity to know him better.

Frank with his Mom Fanny (Frances Matilda) Cramm (nee Bursey) in Old Perlican

Frank with his Dad, Cam (Clarence) Cramm at their home in Old Perlican.

Frank and Judy (nee Hitchen) Cramm on their wedding day.

Dr. Frank Cramm, Teacher, Principal, MUN Professor and educator. Born 1937 in Old Perlican, Trinity Bay. Predeceased by parents Frances (Fanny) and Clarence (Cam) Cramm. Frank passed away at St. Patrick's Mercy Home after battling Multiple Sclerosis and Cancer for many years. Left to celebrate his life are his wife Judy (Hitchen), married for 52 years; sons Darryn (Katherine) of Wabush, Labrador, Maurice (Karen) of Halifax, Nova Scotia; and daughter Heidi (Mike Keiley) of Kingston, Ontario. Frank also leaves behind six grandchildren, Alex and Kelly Cramm, Brennoch and Seamus Keiley, and Stephen and Rachael Cramm; as well as a large circle of relatives and friends. Frank was a very beloved and valued educator who was most happy in his classroom working alongside and with his education students. He leaves behind as his legacy a significant contribution to education throughout our province. Special thanks to Dr. L. Alteen and the staff of St. Pat's Nursing Home and Dr. J. McCarthy, Dr. B. Tompkins and Dr. S. Edwards at the Bliss Murphy Cancer Clinic. Thanks as well to Dr. M. Stephanelli, neurologist, and Dr. Drover, Urologist, all of whom directed his care over several years. Finally, a very large thanks to the loving and caring nursing staff of 1st floor St. Patrick's Mercy Home, who gave him such compassionate and devoted care over the last seven years he was a resident. Cremation followed by reception to celebrate his life at St. Patrick's Mercy Home, Elizabeth Avenue East, on Thursday, November 26th from 3-7 pm. Memorial service will be held in the St. Patrick's Mercy Home Chapel on Friday, November 27th at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, it is Frank's request that donations be made to Gower Street United Church or St. Patrick's Mercy Home, or Gower St. United Church. To send a message of condolences or to sign the memorial guest book please visit www.carnells.com. He co-authored a Newfoundland history book that was used in Elementary schools for years.