Obituary of Gerald W. Cramer

Mr. Gerald W. Cramer, Sr., 86 years old, formerly of Pawling Street, died Monday at Mt. Loretto Nursing Home where he had been a resident for the past few years. He was born January 16, 1922 in Hagaman, the son of Orville H. and Irene Thisse Cramer, and was a life long resident of the Hagaman area. Mr. Cramer served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He then went to work for his uncle at the former Fitzgerald Bottling Co. in Amsterdam before his employment with the former Union Star Newspaper in Schenectady. He then accepted a position in the display advertising department in the automotive section of the Schenectady Gazette. Mr. Cramer test drove and reported on new cars for many years. Mr. Cramer was a communicant of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church in Hagaman where he had served as Trustee, Treasurer, usher and head alter server. He was involved in the original fundraising for St. Stephen's Church and for its Cemetery. Mr. Cramer was a 68 year member of the Hagaman Volunteer Fire Department. On July 25, 1948 he married the former Grace Heck. She died October 3, 1981. Mr. Cramer is survived by his daughter Donna M. Richard Cloud Cramer of Mayfield and his sons Gerald William Cramer, Jr., of Schenectady and Timothy O. Cramer of Satellite Beach, Florida. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Cramer was predeceased by two sons, Garrison A. and Thomas J. Cramer. Funeral services will be held 10:00am Friday at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, followed at 11:00am by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Stephen's Church, Hagaman. Burial will follow in St. Stephen's Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions: Hagaman Vol. Fire Dept. or Mt. Loretto Nursing Home Activities Department.