High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Irving Crane (November 13, 1913 – November 17, 2001), nicknamed "the Deacon", was an American pool player from Livonia (near Rochester), New York, and ranks among the stellar players in the history of the sport. Considered one of the all-time greats, he is most well known for his mastery in the game of straight pool (14.1 continuous) at which he won numerous championships, including six world billiards titles.