| Graduation Year | Class of 1971 |
| Date of Passing | (unknown) |
| About | Alan E. Crace, beloved husband of Nancy Weed Crace, devoted father of Robert Rice, Marie (Brandon) Shearn, Amelia Crace, Hannah Crace and the late Aaron Matthew Crace, dear brother of Anne Frey Schilling and the late Robert Wynn Frey, dear son of the late Ermal Smith Crace and the late Margaret Anne Wynn Crace, beloved owner of two Harley Davidson motorcycles and a Construction Company. Departed Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at the age of 54. Alan was a prominent businessman having founded and managed the successful Crace Construction Company based in Piketon, OH. Projects included water and wastewater treatment plants, hospital additions, school additions, office, correctional facility, and industrial buildings. Clients included Ohio State University, the State of Ohio, Williamson Insurance, Mead Paper, Kings Daughter's Medical Center, Southern Ohio Medical Center, Glockner Chevrolet, OSCO Industries, Mercy Hospital, Pike Community Hospital, the YMCA, and various cities, townships, and school districts in Southern Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. A philanthropist, he donated his time and money to worthy causes including the United Way, Youth Opportunities United, the Seven Hills School, the Unity Church of Peace, Cincinnati Public Schools, the Cincinnati Parks and Recreation dept, and others. Alan was a private person, and most of his donations were anonymous. He was inspired by a person's business or personal endeavors, and sincerely wanted to make a difference. He made a lot of personal and small business loans for which he never expected to make a profit. He valued his own health and the health of the people around him, and even challenged and ended up paying someone $5, 000 to give up smoking – which the person actually did. Born November 16th, 1953 he grew up in Piketon, OH. He was very independent as a youth, and would go fishing and exploring by himself in the nearby woods by the age of 6. He graduated 2nd in his class from Piketon High School in 1971. He was quarterback for the football team, and lettered in basketball, baseball, and track (pole vault). He graduated from Kenyon College Magna Cum Laude (English) 1975 and was nominated for a Rhodes scholarship. He obtained his teaching certificate from Wilmington College in 1976, and taught as a substitute teacher for 1 year. He got his start in construction by remodeling houses for his mother and others during college. In 1978 he founded Crace Construction Company. His first project was a house for his cousin Gary Crace in which he learned valuable lessons such as remembering to include costs such as workers compensation, unemployment, and taxes, as well as avoiding errors such as routing the hot water to the toilet bowl. In his first year in business, he struggled to earn $11, 000, but worked 80 hour weeks. In his 30 years as a contractor, Alan finished every job he ever started regardless of the profitability. He honored all debts, and always lived up to his word. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading poetry, philosophy, and classic literature, especially by F Scott Fitzgerald and Kurt Vonnegut. He enjoyed writing and talked of writing a novel during retirement. He enjoyed the theater and held season tickets to the broadway series. He enjoyed music, especially classic rock, jazz, blues, and classical. He enjoyed art, having started a modest, but impressive art collection. He loved to play tennis, and was a season ticket holder for the Tennis Master Series. He enjoyed running and biking at Lunken Airport, riding his Harley Davidson, and outdoor activities. He enjoyed vacationing in St. Johns, VI, and Naples, FL. He was a quiet, private, peaceful man, and never strove to stand out in the crowd. But, he strove for excellence in everything he did as a personal principle. He was inspired by the pursuit of excellence and supported those in his life who wanted to achieve. He enjoyed being a father an employer, a benefactor, and a friend to those around him, and he will truly be missed. A Celebration of Life will be held at 7 PM on Friday, August 22 at New Thought Unity Center, 1401 E. McMillan, East Walnut Hills. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to 4 C for Children, 1934 Dana Av., Cinti 45207 or the Brain Tumor Patient Care Fund at UH Foundation, Univ. Hospital Foundation, ML0700, 234 Goodman St., Cinti 45219-9865. |
