Nevill Cramer, aged 90 and an 89-year resident of Montecito, California, died peacefully on January 1, 2013.

Nevill Cramer was a lifelong Montecito resident, am educator, a volunteer and an author.
Nevill Cramer was a lifelong Montecito resident, am educator, a volunteer and an author. Credit: Cramer family photo

Nevill was born in Paris, France, on September 6, 1922, the son of Ambrose and Grace Meeker Lloyd of Chicago.

He arrived in Montecito at the age of 1 and spent most of his life there, receiving his education at the Crane School, the Cate School and Harvard University.

In 1953, he began his career as an English teacher, administrator and counselor at Laguna Blanca School in Hope Ranch, remaining until his retirement in 1979.

He devoted the years of his retirement to volunteer work with nonprofit organizations, as well as with Santa Barbara City College, Adult Education and McKinley School.

In 1991, he was named Santa Barbara’s Senior Citizen of the Year for his volunteer work, and in 1996 he was chosen to receive an award as a Distinguished Senior Citizen.

He served as president of four nonprofit boards, but his heart was always in his hands-on volunteer work, which numbered some 9,000 hours.

He delighted in sharing his witty, light-hearted approach to life with those he helped and those he worked with.

In his last years, he especially enjoyed reading aloud to McKinley School third-graders, who he adored and who adored him, their very own “Grandpa.”

He wrote a memoir, published in 1995, of growing up in Montecito. Entitled Montecito Boy: An Irreverent Memoir, 1923-1940, it became a local bestseller. It was followed by a travel memoir, Montecito Boy Abroad: An Irreverent Journey, 1939.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his daughter, Kendal (married to David Bazemore); and five stepchildren: Lauren MacDougall, Brinn MacDougall, Alex MacDougall, Brandon MacDougall and Piero Fenci.

In addition, he leaves nine step-grandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Ambrose Cramer of Virginia, and a sister, Nancy Kittle of Mill Valley.

At Nevill’s wish, there will be no funeral or memorial service.

Those wishing to make a donation in his name may do so to Friendship Center, 89 Eucalyptus Lane, Santa Barbara 93108, which Nevill loved and where he volunteered his services for 20 years.

Nevie will be dearly missed by family and friends. The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Hospice of Santa Barbara caregivers and volunteers.