Benjamin Herbert Cranson

One of the kindest people in the world passed away on February 27, 2025. Benjamin Herbert Cranson, a beloved child of God (born June 26, 1975) ended his last day after a brutal five-year battle with cancer. Despite very long odds, Ben fought incredibly hard with resilience, strength and a positive attitude that serves as a model for us all. Ben's courage and determination gave him an extra five years with his beloved wife Nicole and the treasures of his life, his son Henry and daughter June. Ben will always live on in the hearts of his parents, Kenneth and Katherine Cranson along with those of his brothers Matthew, Peter, and David Cranson and their families.

Ben grew up in Sterling, MA, attended Wachusett High School and went on to study audio engineering in college. He loved soccer, Boy Scouting, playing bass and guitar and being with his friends. Early on, Ben demonstrated the attributes that made him friends with everyone: kindness, humor, positive energy and a genuine, caring interest in all who were close to him. As a young man Ben moved to California and fell in love with the mountains and West Coast culture. He proceeded to make friends with everyone who came into his life. Ben enjoyed snowboarding and harnessed his passion to become a top ski and snowboard tuner. It was through snowboarding that he built a relationship with Nicole after they first met in 2006. They moved on to San Francisco to continue their careers and were married on Laguna Beach in October of 2012. After several years in retail, Ben, with his business partner Caitlin Faust, went on his own to start Wanderer's Outpost, an outdoor adventure store providing equipment and apparel for outdoor enthusiasts.

Ben would say his most important and favorite role was being a father to Henry and June. Ben embraced parenthood and threw himself into his kids' activities and sports, despite grueling treatments that included years of chemotherapy and surgeries. Family was always paramount to Ben and he relished time with Nicole's family in CA as well as his parents, brothers, and extended family in Massachusetts and elsewhere.

A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holden, MA on Saturday, June 28 at 10:00 a.m. An interment will follow. Please remember Ben for all the great times you had with him, so that he may live on in your heart, where his memories will brighten the rest of your days.