Mick Cranidge

John Michael Cranidge (known as Mick to most) arrived on 2^nd July 1938, a second child for Florence and a brother for Terence. He lived all his life in Crowle but travelled far and wide across the UK as a lorry driver.
A particularly memorable journey was to Leeds - where a young Mick met a 16-year-old Joyce at work in the transport office. They dated for a few years, Mick travelling to and from Leeds on his motorcycle, and they were soon engaged.
Mick was called up for National Service which saw him travel to Germany and return with an interesting tattoo on his arm - an eagle with Joyce’s name beneath. Joyce was not at all impressed and there were quite a few cross words, with Mick threatening to have a snake tattooed over her name…The tattoos stayed and the pair wed on a very hot day in July 1959. Their daughter Vivien was born the following year, Erica arrived five years later and Georgina in 1975.
Mick worked long hours to provide for his family, often travelling to Wales or Scotland and having to spend the night in the back of his cab. He had a CB radio for company and was known as ‘MC’ across the airwaves. Well-liked and respected, Mick was a gentleman and a great colleague with a good sense of humour. At one time, Mick worked the night shift and had to share the use of his wagon with other drivers during the day. He had a few sweets tucked away but then these started disappearing. He’d buy more and ask for them to be left alone but they’d still disappear. Did Mick get angry? No, of course not! He simply replaced them with more sweets which he bought whilst on holiday from a joke shop. Safe to say that the thief did not return for more and the problem was solved!
Finally retiring in 2003, Mick and Joyce got to enjoy more holidays together in their favourite places of Great Yarmouth and Scarborough. Retirement suited him: he enjoyed having the time to watch the documentaries he liked and listening to music - he would often be found with his daily newspaper and a pint pot of tea, listening to Burnsy on Radio Humberside. He had a love of Country music, Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell, and rather surprisingly Olly Murs. Talking of music, his favourite song was the one you heard at the beginning of this service - ‘The Power of Love’ by Jennifer Rush. When the song reached number one in October 1985 he played it repeatedly. It’s fair to say it drove his family crazy at the time but now it is a precious memory to hold on to. 
When Joyce’s health declined, Mick didn’t hesitate to take on his new role of carer, cook and cleaner. When he lost Joyce, he was completely devastated but determined to continue to take care of his home and himself. He coped so well, despite the added isolation that COVID caused him.
When Mick’s own health struggles began in 2023, he had to move to a care home. It was difficult for him to accept he would not return to the house that had been his home since 1972. But the regular visits from family and friends, the caring staff and tasty home cooked meals made the move easier.
A loving Husband and Dad, proud Grandad and a good friend, Mick always had a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed but there is comfort in the thought that he has been reunited with his loved ones and is watching over. God bless.