John Crandall’s final Sylvania Township Board of Trustees meeting on June 18 was anything but business as usual. The meeting room was filled with his family members along with well-wishers who took to the podium during the non-agenda public hearing section of the meeting.
Sylvania Mayor Craig Stough presented Crandall with a proclamation declaring June 18 as John Crandall Day in the city of Sylvania. Former Sylvania School Superintendent Brad Rieger added his accolades regarding Crandall’s time on the Sylvania School Board and Tom Crothers detailed Crandall’s invlovement with the formation of the Sylvania Area Joint Recreation District. Township Administrator Oliver Turner, Fiscal Officer Dave Simko, and Trustee Chairman Neal Mahoney added their tributes and individual perspectives. A “consummate public servent” was the common thread heard from each of the speakers when describing Crandall and his many years of community involvement.
He is a graduate of Burnham High School and the University of Toledo where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He was the chief deputy/director of operations for the Lucas County Engineers for 35 years retiring in 2006. Crandall’s first venture into politics was his election to the Sylvania School Board in 2008, on which he served for five years. He was first elected to the Sylvania Township Board of Trustees in 2014 and retired with 18 months remaining on his third term. In addition, he served on the Lourdes University Board of Trustees for eight years.
Crandall was involved in the formation of the Sylvania Area Community Improvement Corporation and was the executive vice president for over 20 years, assisting many companies to locate and/or expand in the Sylvania area. He also was instrumental in the formation of the Sylvania Area Joint Recreation District and served as its first president, oversaw the development of Pacesetter Park, and the establishment of the Sister City relationship with Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. He served as president of the Sylvania Metro Hockey Association.
Crandall and his late wife Sue had been married for nearly 60 years until her sudden passing this spring. They have five sons who all played hockey for Northview High School and eight grandchildren, four of whom played or play hockey at Northview.