     I am honored to be part of a family that is so strong.  Thank you so much Grandpa Crail for all that you have taught me. I know that you are with the Family everywhere we go.
     I am thankful for all the wonderful memories we will always share.  You were one of the largest influences in my life.  You were there in my times of strength and weakness both.  You showed me how to respect and be respected.  You forever will be a great man and I will never forget you.  You have prepared me to be a man. 
     I will continue to share your knowledge, patience, strength and most of all laughter with everyone I love.  Thank you for always leading by example. 
     I love you Grandpa.

 My grandpa was one of the nicest people I've ever known.Everyone is sad but if I think of him i just remember the great times we had he is missed greatly by me. Everyone who has known him never had 1 mean thing to say about him and that makes me happy and proud to be his grandson and to have known him....

I only knew you for two years, every time I saw you at a party or at the lake you could always be seen singing to Pauls guitar, or telling a story, or teaching everyone how to play a game of PIG and Trump. I wish we could have played a couple hands of poker though :). Thank you for always making me feel more than welcomed in the family. (Dead fish handshake)

Grandpa was the most joyful person I have ever met and I dont know how I'm going to go on without him. Some memories I have of him are when I would go over and help clean and do yard work, after I was done we would sit out on the porch, eat ice cream bars, and he would tell me stories about his childhood or the army. He was always the life of the party and the center of attention. Even though his body is gone his spirit will never, never die.

It's been a very surreal couple of weeks, but I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that you're no longer with us. No paragraph could ever encompass everyone's thoughts and feelings of you, Grandpa. There are no phrases or promises that make not having you here any easier. I will be forever grateful for the time we spent together; and even when we weren't together, I'll miss the sense of comfort knowing you were only a few miles away. I'll miss the parties-you shone; I'll miss the phone calls-you always brightened my day; I'll miss dropping off dinner- ALWAYS so great to see you. I will never take for granted the things you taught us all- hard work, a positive attitude, appreciating humor, but most of all, family comes first. I could not have dreamed up a better Grandpa, and I am so proud that my Charlotte knew you as her Great-Grandpa. I will forever cherish every memory, every photograph,every saved Birthday voice-mail, every Valentine marked "shut-up" on the back...everything you gave to me. I cannot express my sadness in loosing you. But whenever I feel down, I just try and remember what's gotten me through this miserable time: "“We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will."


You did it Grandpa.


ALL of our love,
Maddie & Charlotte

I am really going to miss Chester. He and I were close, and I learned a great deal from him. How to enjoy family time, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. I miss him every day, but I know that he is eternally happy with God. I am a better person having known him.

Uncle Rick was a great guy. He was very funny,nice and a man to be admired by all. This world would be a lot better place if there were more like him. A sad loss for everybody who knew him, but I'm sure he left everyone with good memories exclusively. Not a bad horseshoe partner either.

Well, come on, it's Uncle Ricky! Was there ever a better story teller? NO! If I remember correctly, he was always one to rush through a joke.(yea right). I always enjoyed listening to him, patient as he was. I honestly don't know anyone else like him. So up beat. Now his funny stories will go on for an eternity. :D Love you Uncle Rick.

It's been a surreal and sobering process, losing Grandpa, but each passing day makes me exponentially more grateful for having had him in my life; I simply cannot say enough about him, it seems, to encapsulate the effect he has had on me and my family through the years. I will keep his memory close to heart and his example forever in mind; I feel that by doing so we will never be apart.

My earliest memories of Uncle Rick, I remember He had given me a Campbell Soup Doll and also remember the smell of cherry tobacco from His pipe. He was a very caring and kind Man and always had a good joke. He will be sadly missed by Many.

I will always remember Uncle Rick's laughter and the stories he would tell to us. One particular Ghost story sticks in my mind from when I was about 7 or 8 years old about wrapping paper! I cherish the times I was able to be his golf caddy shucking corn in the back yard and roasting marshmallows. His laughter will always stay in my heart. I love you uncle Rick and Aunt millie.

My grandpa always had so much to teach us grandkids.  I was blessed to have had such an amazing role model.  He showed me how to be creative, not to be afraid of what others thought.  He showed me how to sing with passion and enthusiasm.  He taught me how to field a ground ball and how to put my all in everything I do.  So many people have been touched by my grandpa.  I hope to follow in his footsteps.  I'm going to miss my grrrrandpa very much but I know his spirit will always live on :)

Grrrrr-andpa, I miss you so much.  I'm sure I can say that's true, not for just me, but everyone. I love you and grandma so much! You were never negative, only positive. You were always happy, and you made the best out of bad situations. I hope that I can also have that AH-MAZING attitude some day (hopefully soon).  It is still hard to believe you are gone.  I remember when I was little how you would always call me "Pookie." I will miss that smiling face when I go over to your house now. I also always enjoyed your stories.  I still remember the last one you told me. We were eating donuts. and right after you taught me how to put the "Sinker" in the coffee. Then you told me a story from a long time ago from when you were in the navy.  You said that the guy who cut your hair for you only charged one cent every time for a haircut.  You said your hair was so long it was growing out of your ears so you couldn't even hear anything until you got a hair cut, then it was fine and you could hear again. I will always remember and treasure every moment that I had with you.  You will never be forgotten. I love you grandpa (:

Grandpa was an awesome guy.  He always used to yell stuff like, "Ah Shaddap!"  He was a funny guy and I miss him very much.

The Crail Christmas is always my favorite.  This year my Grrrr...andpa, who was sick, came into the Bonham's house, "Ho, Ho, Ho!"  He always complimented the food (no matter what) and loved singing the Christmas Carols.  Usually us cousins would lip-sync or purposely sing too loud, but this year, we sang.  We sang for our Grandpa.  Little did we know this would be his last Christmas.  When I was younger, I would be embarrassed by my voice, but recently I have been listening to music and singing along to it.  I believe my grandpa gave me that love of music.  Although, I had him for 15 years, I wish I had more time with him.  He had such a loving, cheerful personality and will be greatly missed.

I'll always remember how Grandpa would sit on my lap while I sat on the couch and he would say, "What a comfy pillow this is."  I love you and I miss you.

I feel so blessed to have you as my dad.  You have given me so many memories, that I will always cherish.  What a gift you are to me, and to my family.  Thank you for building me a kite, running beside me to offer encouragement when I learned to ride a bike, teaching me how to properly swing a golf club, taking us swimming after you worked all day, and then impressing us by diving off the board!  Thank you for taking me to Shakey's Pizza for my birthday and making the best fried potatos ever.  Thanks for yelling Wahoo when driving by the town with that same name.   Thanks for laughing hysterically at the Wile E. Coyote and Pink Panther on Saturday morning.  Thanks for singing "On the Road Again" while plugging your nose, "The Old Gray Mare has Lumps in Her Underwear" and "Sing... Sing a Song... Sing it Loud... Sing it Wrong!"  I know in my heart that I will see you again some day, dad, so I won't say goodbye.  I will only say, ta-ta for now!  And like the farmer said to the tater, I'll plant ya now, and dig ya later!

Rick will be missed by everyone who knew him.  His body aged but his heart and spirit for living never did. I never heard him talk about the past. He was to busy living in the present. He is an example of a life well lived.

G-r-r-randpa - It is hard to admit you're truly gone when I still feel your glow. 
  I feel like you were meant to be a father and grandfather, you did the job perfectly. You made sure your family felt loved, special, and one of a kind. As much as you talked about us we talked about you too Grandpa. I pass on your goofy navy prank stories, brag about how your band is booked till 2013 or how you helped invent the TV dinner. And I use your 'Here's to you' toast on special occasions with pride. You taught me the importance of tradition.
  You were a vivid story teller and comedian. I loved how you would tell a joke. You'd set up the scene, making your audience feel like they could have been there when it happened. And making them laugh just as hard as you did when you heard it for the first time.
  I miss the Grandpa dance, and Easter egg hunts where the prize was a kick in the pants! I wish I could go back to Christmas '96, singing the Turkey Song with my own verse! Lucky me being part of the first batch of grandchildren to soak up some of your warm affection. I always wanted to make you proud and someday I will have what you envisioned for me- a shop of my own on a busy street, with a big window so people passing by could take a peak inside. 
  The other day I found this passage on a shred of paper on your desk : When you're up to your butt in alligators it is difficult to remind yourself that the initial objective is to drain the swamp.
  You are with me always Grandpa, please give me your strength and clarity! - Valerie

Mildred and family,

Sorry to hear of Ricks passing.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and a constant smile...truly a very happy man.

we loved you with all our hearts. no one was better than you at telling stories and making us happy.  whenever we were with you there was never a dull moment, nothing but fun.  Jan and Rich

Rick was a wonderful neighbor for 20 some years. He helped me get through some very rough times. He was always there for me and my family. He will be terribly missed. I loved him, loved him, loved him.

Rick would always make you feel good when you served him any kind of food. He would always complement on how good it tasted, like it was the best he ever had.  He sure loved his family and his animals. I always enjoyed his stories and he his sense of humor. He will always be in my heart and in my prayers every day.

Dad, we miss you so much! So often during my day I think of something I would like to talk to you about in person -  something I'm doing at work, something I just learned, something I'm looking forward to, an interesting story I heard, a joke I know you'd like.   You were the light of my life and even though I still feel that light, I miss seeing your smiling face and hearing your big  hearty "Why hello Cyndie" when I called, as if you hadn't talked to me in years.   Every moment with you was beyond special.   I am the luckiest of your daughters, having had you the longest.  A few of my favorite memories are: when you would read to us every night, making sounds for the punctuation; how when we were little  you would toss us into the bed so we would bounce a few times;  how you would entertain my imaginary friend "Mr. Cartwright" at the dinner table when I was an only child; driving to visit Grandma in the station wagon with you singing "I've been working on the railroad" and "The Whiffenpoof Song" at the top of your lungs; when you would listen to me practice the piano and then tell me the neighbors heard and thought we were playing an album;  how when we washed dishes by hand you told me it was better to rinse them in cold water which I knew wasn't true but you knew I hated the hot water; how you would write extremely corny  stuff on your birthday and anniversary cards to Mom and make us all groan and laugh; how when you didn't like some food item (which was rare) you would say "I wouldn't hit a dog in the dupa with that...;"  how you treasured the wool scarf I brought you from Scotland; how you wrote a song for the kids to sing in honor of my baked bean recipe; how you gave me my love of reading - especially a good mystery - and music; how you would request my blackberry pie because it reminded you of your childhood; how you would point out and admire an American flag waving in the distance when we were out on the highway; how you loved a good bargain - I remember especially the jacket you found by the side of the road on your way home from work; how you would say "you dirty rat" as you swatted at flies on the back porch; how you loved "sinkers" with your coffee; how you would call me "number one daughter;"  how we knew your  expectations without you ever speaking them but rather by how you lived your life; how you loved us all unconditionally;  how every day of your life, every minute,  was the best there ever was and you always let us know it.  You lived a life of joy and gratitude that I can only hope to emulate.   I could go on and on about what I'm thankful for, but Dad you know. You always knew.

Aunt Millie and Family: My deepest sympathies are with you and the entire family. I have many fond memories of Uncle Rick and will miss him very much.

Aunt Mille and all my Cousins: My earliest memory of uncle Rick is when He would dress up to play Santa Claus when visiting Grandma's House on Lowell. I will always remember Him for many things,especially His generous giving and caring for others thru his entertainment.I will miss Him so.

Dad, you taught me how to live.  how to dance and sing and laugh.  how to live each day like it was absolutely the best day ever.  the best party ever.  the best piece of chicken. you taught me to appreciate the origin of a word, the kind of tree you were walking by, the smell of something familiar.  you taught me the values i hope to pass on to your grandchildren.  you truly were the BEST DAD EVER !!!   Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Uncle Rick was a great person who knew exactly how to brighten someone's day! I remember when he would sing and dance at the family reunions. He was a great person to be around and he always had a great story to tell.I will greatly miss you Uncle Rick.

Aunt Millie & Family, My thoughts & prayers are with you all. Uncle Rick will be Dearly missed. He is watching over us all now with all of our other loved ones that have left us.

Rick was a like father to me, a big brother, a best friend and a role model. Like most people that knew him, I will always miss him.

MILDRED AND DAUGHTERS, RICK WAS VERY SPECIAL TO ME AS A BROTHER-IN-LAW AND A GREAT BUDDY. I WILL ALWAYS THINK OF THE GREAT TIMES WE HAD ALSO OUR SILLY DANCE. HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. ONE DAY WE WILL MEET AGAIN TO SHOP, SING AND DANCE.

My earliest memory of Uncle Rick was at Christmas time, him and my Dad taking all us kids on a ride to see the lights people had put on their houses when I was probably 6 years old. Uncle Rick was singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town and all of a sudden he pointed to a red light in the sky and exclaimed, "Look there's Rudolph!!!" I know now as an adult it was nothing but an airplane but, on that night I knew Santa and the reindeer were real, and I sang those Christmas carols on the ride home more excited about Christmas then I had ever been in my entire life. Uncle Rick was a man that made memories that I will cherish forever. His love of life was as infectious as his smile. Uncle Rick might be gone but he will NEVER be forgotten.

Nick and family,
        My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Though I hadn't gotten to meet your grandfather, I am blessed by the legacy he has left. I love and appreciate you and your family. 
May the Lord comfort you all.

I always had so much fun listening to him sing, especially at the lake.His Naval battles he'd tell me about were amazing.It was a privledge to know Rick

Millie & Family - Sending you & your family deepest sympathies.
I will miss Chester's wonderful smile - he always made me smile too.
My prayers & thoughts are with all of you at this time.
Angie

Millie & Family - Extending my deepest sympathies. I will miss Chester very much. His smile made me smile and always brightened my day. 
My prayers & thoughts are with you & your family. Love, Angie

Uncle Rick was one of the greatest role models a kid could have. A person who truely knew what a gift life is. We all will miss his humor and his laughter. He will always be my idea of a Gentleman.

All the wonderful stories I've heard about your dad, Cyndie.  What a man!  I know you will all miss him terribly.  Thanks be to God that you know you'll see him again.  Prayers and God's peace to all.

Pam, Loraine and Family: Your families are in our thoughts and prayers.  The photos that are posted on the site shows he is such a wonder man and loves his family very much.  Find comfort in the memories.

Rick's stories were always so entertaining.  His passion for life showed in the stories he told.  He could keep me laughing for hours.  I will miss him.

To the Crail Family-Very sorry to learn of your loss.  You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Pam Marek sorry to hear of your Dad's passing.  Crail family my prayers are with all of you.

OBITUARY

Chester B. Crail

November 9, 1921 – January 24, 2011

Kahler-Dolce Mortuary

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