Obituary of Regina E. Cranston
Regina E. Cranston
November 2, 1938 – November 25, 2022
Regina Elizabeth Cranston, of Brooklyn and Breezy Point, NY, passed into eternal life Friday, November 25th, merely three weeks after celebrating her 84th birthday with family at the Aqueduct Casino. Whether Mrs. Cranston was known to you as Mom, Nanny, Aunt Regina, or just “Reg,” she was notorious for providing warmth, positivity, a few laughs, and in many cases, a cold drink to those who entered her homes on East 5th Street and Arcadia Walk.
Born Virginia Elizabeth McEnaney on November 2, 1938, to proud Irish parents Peter and Rose McEnaney, she was baptized “Regina” at St. Francis Xavier RC Church in Park Slope, Brooklyn. One of seven children, she matriculated through high school at St. Francis Xavier Academy for Young Women, serving as President of her Senior Class and Captain of the Basketball Team. Involvement in church-sponsored dances and social outings at her family parish, St. Augustine, introduced her to a beautiful collection of lifelong friends and most notably, her husband Donald Cranston.
Regina and Donald wed at St. Augustine’s in August of 1960 following an extended courtship that spanned early teenage years to young adulthood. The couple proceeded to welcome seven children in the span of just 9-and-a-half years to their homestead at 349 East 5th Street in the Kensington section of Brooklyn. Regina wasted little time getting involved in her new parish - Immaculate Heart of Mary’ – directing the coordination of parish bazaars, card parties, and CYO basketball. She provided unbridled support to her husband as he rose the ranks of the New York City Department of Corrections, eventually serving terms as President of both the Correction Officers and Correction Captains Union. At Correction Department functions she was referred to on more than one occasion as “The Mother of the New York City Correction Department.”
Regina took pride in her own career as well. She began work for Blue Cross Insurance prior to her marriage to Donald, but later returned to full-time employment with the Office of Dr. David Kliot, a stones-throw from the home on East 5th. Regina spent twenty-five years at Dr. Kliot’s practice, eventually rising to the position of Office Manager.
In 1994 Regina and Donald sold East 5th and relocated to a home in Breezy Point. She may not have envisioned it at the time, but her years in Breezy Point following Donald’s passing in 1999, became a truly golden final trimester. Much of her calendar revolved around the interests of her grandchildren, an assembly that grew in number with each passing year. The entrance to her home at 120 Arcadia Walk in Breezy Point became a revolving door for all who fell under her matriarchy. There were Cranston family vacations, outings to Mets games, ardent support of her daughter Catherine’s Bishop Kearney Basketball Team and consistently observed family functions.
In addition to serenading family and friends with her stunning rendition of “Ireland’s 32” at the many parties, Regina serenaded all who came into her presence with a sense of unconditional love and attention that made you feel like you were the only person she ever knew. She loved being surrounded by her family and friends.
Regina is reunited with her husband and cherished companion, Donald J. Cranston, and is predeceased by five siblings: Peter, Jack, James, Margie, and Eileen, as well as other members of the beloved “longest running card game in the history of Brooklyn.” She will be dearly missed by her surviving sister, Rose Mary Regan. Regina is sadly predeceased by her son, 9/11 NYPD first responder Christopher Edward (Clare), and survived by her six remaining children: Maureen Petrucci-Wertling(David), Catherine Crockett (Tommy), Donald Jr. (Kristen), Michael (Jeanmarie), Mark (Margie), and James (Victoria).Regina’s is further survived by her grandchildren whose presence brought her inordinate joy over the past thirty-four years: Ryan (Cassie), Nicholas (Carol), Timothy (Nicole, and daughter Charlotte), Kristy (Robert), Michael, Matthew, Alyssa, Kevin, Mark, Brian, Megan, Christopher, Emma, Andrew, Donald III, and Dennis. She leaves behind a vast extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that are too numerous to list but certainly are not forgotten.
Friends and relatives can visit with Regina’s family at Marine Park Funeral home for her wake on (Thursday 2-4 & 7-9, Friday 2-5 & 7-9). Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas More in Breezy Point on Saturday 9:30. Burial at Green-Wood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made
in memory of Regina's son, Detective Christopher Cranston,
to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
Donations can be made online by following the link below.
The Tunnels to Towers Foundation
Rest in Eternal Peace
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