James Alfred ‘Al’ McCracken, age 95, passed away on October 10, 2024. He was the beloved husband of the late Bethia ‘Betty’ McCracken (nee Hutchieson).
Born in Detroit in 1928, Al spent most of his childhood in Scotland and England. At the age of 14, he apprenticed as a carpenter and crafted cabinetry for luxury ships. At 20, he and his brother Donny returned to the United States with their father. While working full time, Al and Donny built their family home in East Detroit. Al enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Alaska during the Korean War. He met Betty, the love of his life, when he asked her to dance at The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. They married in 1954 and raised six children in the home Al built in Southfield, Michigan. He worked earnestly for 32 years as a Master Carpenter for the Detroit Board of Education, along with weekend side jobs framing houses.
Al and Betty treasured family time at their cottage on Round Lake. They also enjoyed playing golf and bingo with a large circle of friends during their many winters in Las Vegas.
Family was more important than anything else to Al. He and Betty sacrificed to put their six children through Catholic schools. Al was an extremely proud father, Papa and great grandfather. He treasured family fun on the pontoon boat and card games around the kitchen table. Al was a beautiful example of true love and devotion as he cared for his beloved Betty during her long battle with Alzheimer's. His sense of humor and fighting spirit were with him until the end. They live on in his family.
Al was the devoted father of Gail (the late Stan) Hurn, Maureen Eckert, John (Debra) McCracken, Alan McCracken, Daniel (Joni) McCracken and Colleen (John) Hackett; adoring grandfather of Daniel (Jessica) Hurn, Michael (Michelle) Hurn, James Patrick (Kristin) Hurn and John Hurn, Allison Eckert, Jamie (Carlos) Villarreal, Jennifer (Donald) McIntosh, Amanda (Bradley) Clemons, Logan (Lynnelle) Nadeau, Michael (Natividad) Hackett, Elizabeth Hackett, Emma Hackett and Kate Hackett; great grandfather of Kamryn, Hayden, Brayden, Gavin, Adelyn, Sutton, Laken, Lily, Carlos, Alice, Lucille, Eleanor, Trent and Nora. He was preceded in death by his dear parents John and Sarah (nee Carroll) McCracken and six siblings. Al is also survived by his cherished ‘kid’ sister Patricia (Gerald) Neubert. He was a special uncle to many, including Maureen and Tosh Thomson.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 19 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, 12648 East D Avenue, Augusta, Michigan. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. in the St. Ann Social Hall. Military honors and interment will follow at Day Cemetery, Ross Township. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Al’s name to https://www.stjude.org/ or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.
Saturday, October 19, 2024
10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)
St. Ann Roman Catholic Church
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
St. Ann Roman Catholic Church
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Day Cemetery
Visits: 857
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