Advisor, Mentor, Friend: Jack Crane, 1933-2025

Connecticut’s manufacturing industry is mourning the loss of a beloved advisor, colleague, mentor, and friend.

CONNSTEP’s Jack Crane passed away this week at the age of 92.

Crane was CONNSTEP’s second-ever and longest tenured employee, helping build the organization from its origins as the State Extension Partnership at UConn in 1994.

“Jack’s impact on Connecticut manufacturing is immeasurable,” said CONNSTEP president and CEO Beatriz Gutierrez. “He was an institution.

“He was instrumental in building our diverse, 30-person team, which, until this weekend, spanned five generations.”

‘A True Unicorn’

Crane joined the business growth organization after leading new product research and development for Olin Corporation’s Metals Division for three decades.

As a strategic advisor, Crane guided manufacturers across the state in planning, marketing, new product development, and linking strategy deployment with Lean activities.

He also authored or co-authored more than 50 industry-related papers and is the co-holder of over 30 patents related to processes, alloys, and products.

Throughout his career, Crane demonstrated a drive for helping others succeed.

“He was a true unicorn—one of those once-in-a-lifetime people who leave a lasting mark on your life.”

CBIA’s Chris DiPentima

“He was a true unicorn—one of those once-in-a-lifetime people who leave a lasting mark on your life,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.

DiPentima worked with Crane during his time at Pegasus Manufacturing.

“He was like a father figure to our leadership team at Pegasus Manufacturing—the person I called for everything,” he said. “Jack was one of my first calls when considering making the leap to CBIA.

“Those of us who leaned on him were often panicked, confused, and lost when we reached out. Jack listened deeply, guided thoughtfully, and supported unconditionally.”

Mentor, Friend

Throughout his career, Crane earned numerous accolades, including the first-ever National Institute of Science & Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership Lifetime Achievement Award and the UCONN Engineering Services Award.

He was a fellow of the American Society of Materials and received the Manufacturing Hall of Fame’s 2017 Leadership Award.

Aside from his work with CONNSTEP, Crane’s passion was education.

As program director for the New Haven Science Fair Program, his team earned the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in 2001 for their work with underrepresented students.

“Jack was CONNSTEP.”

CONNSTEP’s Beatriz Gutierrez

Crane’s colleagues remembered him for his intelligence, kindness, and friendship.

“In my 20 years of having the privilege of knowing him, Jack became more than a colleague,” said CONNSTEP’s Matin Karbassioon.

“His greatest gift to me was being a friend and a mentor.”

“Jack was CONNSTEP,” added Gutierrez. “We will miss him terribly.”