Salem: Milton C. Cripps, Jr., age 79 of Salem, died unexpectedly, at home, on Tuesday. He was the husband of Lena (Jean) Cripps, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.
Born in Beverly and raised in Beverly and Marblehead, he was the son of the late Milton C. and Mildred (Laudin) Cripps – Anthony – Gaudreau. He joined the Navy at the age of 17 and served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre.
Following his tour of duty, he returned to Marblehead and was a milkman for the H.P. Hood Co. He later left Hood and was a driver for the John J. Nissen Baking Co., servicing restaurants and stores on the northshore. He was a member of the Truckers Teamsters Union Local 494. Prior to his illness, Milton was a member of the Elks Lodge, the A.O.H., the Amvets all of Salem and the Franco American Club of Beverly. He retired from Nissen in 1988.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by 4 sons: Michael A. Cripps and his wife Laurie of Peabody, Steven J. Cripps of Peabody, Jeffrey A. Cripps and his wife Cheryl of Salem, Wayne H. Cripps and his wife Patricia of South Carolina, 2 daughters: Lisa J. Levesque and her husband Steve of Salem, Leslie J. Dunton and her husband David of Salem, 2 brothers: Dana Anthony of Florida and Bruce Anthony of San Diego, CA, a sister Gail Anthony of New Hampshire, 12 grandchildren:Dawn Tyler, Jimmy, Ashley, Nathan, Alexandra, Eric, Jenna, Jill, Jeffrey Cripps, Michael & Michelle Levesque, Avary Dunton, and also 4 great-grandchildren.
His funeral will be on Friday at 8 am from the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St., Salem [Rt. 114 / 1-A] followed by his funeral mass in Ste. Anne Church, Salem at 9 am. Visiting hours: Thursday, June 15, 2006 from 2 to 4 & 7 to 9 pm. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. JudeChildren’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For additional information and guest book, please visit www.levesquefunerals.com.