Paul Benjamin McCrea

Paul Benjamin “Charlie” McCrea, 80, of New Philadelphia, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on April 25, 2007, in the Country Club Retirement Campus at Dover, after a lengthy illness. Born on April 4, 1927, in Fresno, Ohio, he was the son of the late Porter and Mabel (Park) McCrea. After graduating from high school in Fresno, Charlie served as a hospital corpsman for the U.S. Navy during WWII. His 40-year career with the Ohio Power Company began in 1948 in Coshocton. After transferring to New Philadelphia in 1953 and rising through the ranks, he was promoted to Substation Crew Supervisor. He was a member of the Ohio Power Veterans Employment Association after retirement in 1989.A long time member of the First Christian Church in New Philadelphia, Charlie was a Deacon, served on the board of trustees and was a member of the Christian Builders Sunday School Class. He loved spending time with his family, tending his garden, and was a serious fan of the Cleveland Indians. Charlie often traveled to Scotland with his wife, Betty, to visit their daughter and family. He always looked forward to his daily morning visit with friends at The Daily Grind. A farmer at heart, Charlie spent his early years working on farms around Fresno and since living in New Philadelphia, he took great pleasure helping on the Schwartz family farm. Charlie was a good neighbor and of help to many.A much loved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Charlie is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty (Castle) McCrea, whom he married on April 11, 1948. His family includes daughter Rebecca Kamen, her husband Alan Kamen, M.D., of Canton, Ohio, and their children, Martin Kamen, D.V.M., of Brooklyn, New York, Jeannette Ferber and husband Cory of San Anselmo, California, and Benjamin Kamen of Olympia, Washington; son Bruce and his wife Karen (Gribble) McCrea of New Philadelphia, and their sons, Zachary Nemeth of South Bend, Indiana, and Morgan McCrea of New Philadelphia; daughter Elizabeth Stewart and husband Graham Stewart of Dunblane, Scotland, and children Thomas Adam of Edinburgh, Scotland, and Hannah Adam of Dunblane, Scotland. He is also survived by brother, John McCrea of Chili, Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert, Bill, Joe, Jim, and Tom and sister, Mary Johnson, son-in-law, Donald Adam, and special friends, Earl and Mary Young.Friends are invited to call Friday, April 27, 2007, 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the Linn-Hert Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia.Pastor Jim Borton will lead the funeral service on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in the First Christian Church at New Philadelphia. A reception will be given immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be held in Fresno Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. in Fresno, Ohio.The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Aultman Hospice, 2821 Woodlawn Avenue N.W., Canton, Ohio, 44708, Tuscarawas County Hospice, 201 W. Third Street, Dover, Ohio, 44622, or The First Christian Church, 104 Third Street N.W., New Philadelphia, Ohio, 44663.