Andrew William Cryans

ANDREW (ANDY) WILLIAM CRYANS, SR.

LITTLETON, NH  Andrew (Andy) William Cryans, Sr., age 90 of 25 Oak Hill Avenue, died peacefully on June 22, 2009 at the Lafayette Center in Franconia, NH in the presence of his wife, of 62 years, Evelyn M. Cryans and his eldest child, Fr. Andrew William Cryans, Jr.

Mr. Cryans was born on the 12th of September 1918 in St. Pierre West Broughton, P.Q. Canada, the third of eleven children born to William Francis Cryans and Ann McGuire. A naturalized American citizen, he came to Littleton, NH in 1937. A gifted carpenter and craftsman, Mr. Cryans spent most of his working career in building, restoring and remodeling homes.

Andrew served his country in the United States Army during the Second World War and was part of the occupation force of Japan. He was also a veteran of the Korean conflict. He was a charter member of Post 816 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Post 0068.

A devoted Catholic, Mr. Cryans was a long time member of St. Rose of Lima Parish and was involved for many years in the Knights of Columbus as a 3rd degree member of Council No. 1833 and a 4th degree member of Assembly No. 636. In earlier years Mr. Cryans was involved in fund raising projects for St. Rose of Lima School and was a Church usher. He also did volunteer work in the Meals on Wheels project and was active in the Littleton Senior Center as a volunteer.

Andrew is survived by his wife Evelyn Mae Howard whom he married on January 25th 1947 at the Church of St. Rose of Lima. His four children, Fr. Andrew W. Cryans, Jr., Pastor of St. Thomas More Church Durham, NH and Chaplain at the University of New Hampshire; Grafton County Commissioner, Michael James Cryans and wife, Julie of Hanover, NH; Jeffrey H. Cryans of Palm Beach, FL; Lorie Ann Fields and husband, Mark of Concord, NH; seven grandchildren, Cameron and Conner Cryans, Heather Grato, Tory Cryans, Colby Fiester, Miranda and Christopher Fields, and one great-grandson, Gavin Cryans. Only two of his ten siblings, Bernice Kozyra of West Hartford, CT, and Ethel Bouchard of Rocky Hill, CT survive him.

Mr. Cryans is well remembered for his playful sense of humor, Irish wit, great integrity and selfless dedication to his faith and family and for his prayerfulness.

SERVICES  Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, June 24th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Pillsbury Funeral Home located at 101 Union Street in Littleton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church on Thursday, June 25th at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Andrew W. Cryans, Jr. presiding, assisted by long time family friend Rev. John P. Rosson, Pastor of St. Mary Church in Cooperstown, New York and Rev. Marcel Martel Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church. Most Rev. Francis J. Christian, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Manchester, will offer the Prayers of Commendation. Interment will follow at the family plot in St. Rose of Lima Cemetery.

The family requests that memorial donations be given, in his memory, to the Littleton Senior Center, P. O. Box 98, Littleton, NH, 03561.

Arrangements and care have been entrusted to the Pillsbury Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Inc. To view an online memorial or to send a message of condolence, please visit www.pillsburfyh.com.