Gary Crane, age 59, of Wethersfield passed away on June 29, 2011. Gary was born in Hartford to Alice Crane and the late Frank Crane. He grew up in Hartford's Foster Heights neighborhood and moved to Wethersfield in 1970. He graduated from Wethersfield High School and Hartford Technical College, majoring in civil engineering. He was a valued and dedicated employee of the state of Connecticut Department of Transportation for 35 years, retiring in 2006. Gary was a man of action throughout the years; his true passions were cars, racing and engines. In 1971, Gary and his brother Glen purchased a new Dodge Challenger 340 which they raced on the Berlin Turnpike, Connecticut Dragway and Lebanon Valley Dragway. Over 40 years Crane Brothers Racing evolved and won many Pro Racing awards and titles. Gary was the engineer, Glen the driver. There was never a task too difficult for Gary to tackle. In his younger years he also enjoyed boating, fishing, skiing and flying his Cessna out of Brainard Field. He was a loyal father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He left us too soon, but is now at peace. He leaves his son Brendon, his mother Alice, his brother Glen, sister-in-law Collette, nieces Lindsay and Brittany, dear Aunt Anita and many friends of the racing world. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, July 6, 2011, 6-8 p.m. at The Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke. Wethersfield. The funeral and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to American Heart Association. To share a memory with the family, please visit, www.dillonbaxter.com