Edward Cranley Jr.

.Madison: Edward Patrick Cranley Jr., age 79, passed away peacefully at his home, in the company of his children and grandchildren, on Saturday, November 18, 2017. He was born July 7, 1938, the son of Edward and Ann (Corr) Cranley Sr., in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Chicago and Antioch, Illinois, and attended St. Bede Academy. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he met the love of his life, Mecca Swanson. Ed and Mecca married on August 20, 1960. They cherished 46 years together until Mecca's passing on November 20, 2006. Their marriage has been, and remains, an inspiration to their family.

In his professional life, Edward worked as a Civil and Consulting Engineer. He was employed by Mead & Hunt, and was the founder of the consulting engineering firm of Cranley & Associates. He was a longtime member of the Board of Public Works for the City of Madison, and consulted with numerous cities and towns around the State of Wisconsin on municipal projects.

Edward was an avid reader and lifelong learner. He was passionate about classical music and ballet, and had a particular interest in opera. He supported the Madison Opera and American Players Theater, where, for many years, he celebrated his birthday with family and friends with a picnic and a play. Ed's greatest joy was being among his large family. He loved to share his knowledge of history and culture with his children and grandchildren, or to just sit back and quietly enjoy the chaos around him.

Edward is survived by his loving children Martha (Larry Martin) Cranley, Patrick (Sue) Cranley, Elizabeth Cranley, Paul (Susy) Cranley, Anne (Tim) Higgins, Philip (Gabriel) Cranley, and Peter Cranley, and his 16 cherished grandchildren, Michael, Samuel, Mary Kate, Teddy, Juliana, Aidan, Fiona, Eyasu, Sofia, Emma, Paul, Sydney, Thomas, Owen, Joe, and Lucy. He is also survived by his sister Mary Ellen and brother Brian, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 46 years, Mecca Swanson Cranley, his granddaughter, Mecca Helen, and his sister, Kathleen Cranley Glass.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday November 24, 2017 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen Dr., Madison, WI 53711, with a visitation from 9:30 am until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations in Edward's name to Madison Opera, or the UW Carbone Cancer Center. Please share a memory at www.CressFuneralService.com .


Cress Funeral Home
3610 Speedway Rd
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 238-3434