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Charles E. Kranias Biglerville, PA QCWA # 25137 Chapter 165 |
Charles Ernest Kranias, of Biglerville, entered into eternal slumber June 20, 2008.
Born October 29, 1926, in Gettysburg, he was the son of the late Ernest C. and Emily (Kargas) Kranias.
Mr. Kranias attended Gettysburg Schools and graduate from Gettysburg High School in 1944.
He enlisted in the United States Navy after graduation and served during WWII as a radio operator (RM3c) in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS SARANAC, AO 74 and was honorably discharged in 1946.
Mr. Kranias attended Gettysburg College with the class of 1951 and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.
Charlie worked for his father at the Texas Lunch, which was started in 1921, as a young boy, and upon his father's death, took over the establishment and it was passed to his son Ernie in 1981.
After retirement from the restaurant business, he was a seasonal employee of the National Park Service and then was employed at the Gettysburg Hospital as a courier for many years and retired in 2008.
Charlie was a life member of Post 202, the American Legion, Gettysburg, where he served as Commander and many years as adjutant. He was also a life member of the BPO Elks, AMVETS Post 172, Fairfield VFW Post 15, Gettysburg, Volture 731, La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux, Gettysburg, Society of Wireless Pioneers, Seattle, Washington, Gettysburg Fire Department, USS Gettysburg CG 64 Society, Lifetime Charter member of the World War II Memorial, Washington, DC, Plank Owner of the US Navy Memorial, Washington, DC, USN Radioman Association, Washington, DC, and the Lake Clarke Rescue Club, Wrightsville. He was a charter member of the Penn-Mar Radio Club, Hanover and assisted the late Walter B. Lane in the founding of the Adams County Amateur Radio Society. He was also an Honorary Plank owner of the USS Gettysburg, CG 64. He was a member of the U.S Navy Training Center Association, Brainbridge, MD, U.S. Navy Amateur Radio Club, American Radio Relay League, U.S. Naval Institute, Annapolis, MD. He was active in organizing reunions of the USS SARANAC, AO 74 and enjoyed Amateur Radio since he was first licensed as W3YPL in 1954.
He was an avid reader of Naval history and had an extensive library of books, CD's and tapes of WWII. Charlie enjoyed reading novels by Tom Clancy, watching NFL football, rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Phillies and working crossword puzzles.
Charlie was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Gettysburg. He also attended services at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, York and the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Camp Hill.
