David “Casey” McCracken
On Sunday afternoon, with his wife and family holding him, with his favorite music playing, and prayers in the air, David “Casey” McCracken passed away. He brought so much to this life. All that he was will be remembered, missed, and carried on by those that knew and loved him.
He was so much loved by his companion and wife of 41 years, Vivian. They built a life hand in hand, raising five children and sharing every triumph, trial, and adventure.
He was: A Father who raised his children to be skilled and brave. He filled their hearts with love, their lives with adventure, and their minds with knowledge. Logan, Quinn (Debbie), Manus, Maggie, and Molly will miss him dearly as they strive to live as fully as he did. And he was a wonderful Grandpop.
A son to Joy and Alan McCracken who taught him to be strong, bold, and tireless. His works surround their every day in art, stonework, gardens, and memories. Their hearts can’t help but swell with pride even as they mourn his passing.
A big brother to Jean, Amy, and Josh McCracken for whom he was a giant. Large in stature, influence, and mischief.
A geographer and maker of maps. He saw beneath the surface in all places, reading stories in stone, landscape, history, and people. The elements all layered and intertwined to make deep and meaningful portraits.
A historian. His knowledge was broad, deep, and multifaceted. Among a great many things, he was an expert in the Anthracite Coal Region, Ireland, Mt. Carmel Football, and lighthouses.
A student. His mind held so much yet always had room for more. He sought knowledge and insight with great hunger and each newly devoured lesson would sit in relation to all others, informing the greater whole.
A teacher. He would walk with you and reach back through time and space to touch on some thread of knowledge for you. It led to others and others still until a web of insights and new questions hung all about.
A custodian of tradition, celebrating his Catholic faith and the ancient customs that preceded it. So many days belonged to customs and culture in honor of legends and saints. Days of feasts and fasting. Days of fire. Days of letting go.
A musician. He played any instrument that came to hand from the penny whistle to kalimba, but was truly a master of guitar. He filled his home with music, raising the voices of his children with his own soulful voice and masterful play.
An artist. Whether metal, wood, reed, pen, paint, or bits of rope, art seemed to flow so easily from his hands leaving a world more beautiful.
A gardener. He loved to create living spaces where he knew if he cared enough, worked enough, and gathered enough help, paradise would bloom and give back bounty and beauty.
A cook and baker. Knowing where to find the best ingredients. A handful of the right seeds, a pinch of the right leaves into the right shimmer of oil in the right pan. Add this and that and like magic we’re in communion with cultures diverse and ancient. Every week in his home was a tour of the world. Every week a new loaf of bread or cake to feed the family.
A navigator. Anywhere on earth he could look to the sky and greet every star by name. He’d check his grandfather’s pocket watch and know by the sky exactly where he stood.
A sailor. With his daughters as first mates he’d set the sails and feel the tiller pull gently in his hand. They’d ride the breeze and feel part of all the invention, industry, exploration, and history sailing the winds before them.
An adventurer. From the Appalachian trail, to the Andes, to saints’ mountains in Ireland, to the ragged edges of our own Coal Region which he loved best, his boots and sandals trod ancient trails and new paths where no step had passed before.
A survivor. For 30 years pain and exhaustion were his daily companions. Yet he chose to bite down any fear or anger and LIVE. To be all these things and more, much more. To pour himself out to fill those around him. May he finally rest in a garden of light and music!
A viewing will be held on Friday, August 1st, from 4 to 8 p.m. with Vigil Prayers at 7 p.m. with Msgr. Francis Karwacki and Saturday morning from 9 to 10:45 a.m. in the C J Lucas Funeral Home Inc. 27 N. Vine St., Mt. Carmel, PA, C J Lucas IV, Supervisor. The Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, August 2, at 11 a.m. with Father Martin O. Moran III officiating at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 47 S. Market St., Mt. Carmel. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Beaverdale. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Mount Carmel Public Library Reading Garden, 30 S. Oak St., Mt. Carmel, PA 17851, or volunteer a little time in your own community. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com.