PDA

View Full Version : In rememberance of Peter....



Mark Singer
06-03-2006, 10:43 PM
Occassionally I think of my friend Peter Cramer ....a fine woodworker and friend as well.... I built 2 homes with Peter.....he was the owner on both and ,in the absence of a contractor, by default, became the builder on the second....and that my have been led to his decline...Peter did a great job and was a fine woodworker....built beautiful ships.....well models of them....Peter sailed around the world ....many times , once together with our wives....I was proud to design and build several pices of furniture for his home when he asked me to. . He always talked of his first years in The States from England...."We didn't have a pot to piss in" ....he would say....he often talked about taking a piece of wood...sanding...planing...shaping it carefully....and the with it in the vice hitting it with a large mallet....he was a great story teller ...and would always draw 110% of my attention...he died a very wealthy man and a happy one, a great family and a very full life....He acommplished all he wanted and was content with living.....thats when we lost him....I miss him.....and think of him often.

Dave Ray
06-03-2006, 11:17 PM
Mark, we owe a lot to the various people who pass through our lives. Friends are to be considered the crown jewels of these people. Special friends (Peter in your case) are treasures beyond description. Remembering him and the enjoyment you both shared is a tribute to him and yourself. Know in your heart he thought of you and appreciated you in just the same way you do of him. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Cherish his memory and smile when you think of him.

Mike Cutler
06-04-2006, 8:16 AM
We can all learn a lesson from Peter, Mark. Thank you for introducing him to us.

He had a good friend in you. Both of your lives were made better for the knowing of each other.

Ken Fitzgerald
06-04-2006, 10:06 AM
My condolences on the loss of your friend Peter, Mark! As much as I have, I have nothing I treasure more than family and friends. And.........it's not the quantity that matters.........it's the quality! Again....my sincere condolences!

John Scarpa
06-04-2006, 7:23 PM
Mark, I know when you think of Peter you miss him, but I know without asking that there are times when you are smiling to. Some people are gifts in our lives. Our journey would not be the same with out them.

John Miliunas
06-04-2006, 7:28 PM
Mark, I realize you miss him but, sounds to me like he's always your constant companion and one with much inspiration. You show it, my friend. You show it! You've been blessed by his friendship and now, many others are blessed with yours! :) :cool:

Jerry Olexa
06-04-2006, 9:13 PM
Mark, well written tribute. Its obvious he was a man you respected. Sorry for your loss..

Roy Wall
06-05-2006, 12:21 AM
Mark, I know when you think of Peter you miss him, but I know without asking that there are times when you are smiling to. Some people are gifts in our lives. Our journey would not be the same with out them.

Well said John!

Mark - my regards to you and Myriam.........and of course Peter's family. Carry on and continue to be the friend to them that you've always been........I know you will! Love never fails!!

Dennis Peacock
06-05-2006, 9:07 AM
Mark, I realize you miss him but, sounds to me like he's always your constant companion and one with much inspiration. You show it, my friend. You show it! You've been blessed by his friendship and now, many others are blessed with yours! :) :cool:

Very well stated John!!! Mark, I send my most sincere condolences from my heart to yours.

Mark Singer
06-05-2006, 9:32 AM
Thanks for all your words.... It is strange how the mind seems to work. Peter died about 2 years ago.....his home was 90 percent complete and the stress of building it may have lead to his fatal heart attack.....The home for him was a labor of love...and for me as well. I really didn't think much about him soon after his passing...it was a shock to all of us...he just had a physical exam and was found to be healthy. He was only 56.....at the time only about 1 1/2 years older than me. As time went on my mind accepted his passing and welcomed the memory of our friendship...conversations, jokes, his great sense of humor. We would meet weekly at the new home and discuss the details through the 2 homes we built together Peter had learned a great deal... He started as a Rolls Royce mechanic in England and when he moved this job continued...here in the States. His neighbor Bill had an idea for a business many years ago and together they started Cramer Decker Industries. They were specialists in diving and hospital equipment...Peter had retired about 8 months before his death.....to enjoy life. Ironic as some things are. . Peter really enjoyed every moment!
In the space in my shop thoughts of Peter often play in my mind.....with classic music or jazzz in the backround and my full focus on my work there is still space for these thoughts... Picking up and old tool my Father left me triggers others.....alone in my shop , I seem to invite many great friends....

http://www.cramerdecker.com/

Mark Singer
06-05-2006, 9:50 AM
Here is some pictures of the home and a coffee table and bedrom set (backround) I designed and built for their previous home about 13 years ago....http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=6321&highlight=home

john whittaker
06-06-2006, 12:02 PM
Mark, Thank you for sharing you thoughts with us. Posts like these help bring perspective and jog memories. I am sorry for your loss but rejoice in all the wonderful influences Peter brought into your life. I'm sure he felt the same way.

Roy Wall
06-07-2006, 1:01 PM
....alone in my shop , I seem to invite many great friends....



I agree!

When I'm working on a project, I think of many SMC friends I've made here and ask: how would they do this? What's the best way to cut that? Oh yea, I remember the jig (insert name) made on SMC for this type of joint, etc...........

And I always have several voices to "pay attention - and work safe"....