Paul J. McCracken, 93

April 24, 2018

Paul J. McCracken, age 93, passed away on April 24, 2018, He was the son of the late Catherine and Samuel McCracken

Aside from a period during WW II, Paul resided his entire life in Lancaster PA. He attended Sacred Heart School, graduated from Lancaster Catholic High in 1942 and was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. After his discharge from the Army Air Corp where he served as a B29 engine mechanic in the 315th Bomber Group on Guam, he joined the Lancaster Bureau of Fire. Paul ultimately became Training Officer, a job he especially enjoyed. Captain PJ, as he was known in the Fire Department, was one of the leaders who made the Lancaster Bureau of Fire a truly professional firefighting force. After he retired from The Bureau of Fire he joined the Lancaster County Emergency Management Staff and spent many a night and day gauging the potential for flooding from the various streams and rivers in Lancaster County. He also prepared highly regarded videos and presentations to train school, hospital and nursing home officials how to deal with emergencies such as tornados.

He was a great husband, father and friend who took special joy in the time he spent crabbing, camping, fishing and partying at the beach and elsewhere with his immediate family and his very close family of friends. After retirement, Paul and his wife Helen travelled extensively throughout the United States with Helen’s two sisters and their husbands and with his close friends. During their long marriage, they spent many a night dancing together at one of the various clubs to which they were members.

He also developed a very close relationship with his half sisters on the west coast. He would describe that relationship as a bond of love and friendship. As a result, he and Helen made numerous trips to California and Oregon to visit with them. These sisters also came to Lancaster to visit.
One of his life mantras was “Make a difference”. He saved lives and property and he taught a generation of young men to become excellent firefighters. He taught his family through his actions the importance of honoring and respecting all people and doing the right things right.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Helen McCracken, his brother Jerry and his half sisters, Betty and Carol. He is survived by his half sisters Katherine Kloverstrom, Margie Cook (Allen), and Janette Martinez, his half brother Samuel, son Richard McCracken (Susan) and daughter Sharon Yeaglin (Jerry): grandchildren Johnny Yeaglin, Elizabeth McCracken, Kevin Yeaglin (Alexandra), Meredith McCracken (Keely) and Bryan Yeaglin (Vera) and one great grandson Brooks Yeaglin and one great granddaughter, Caroline Yeaglin.

The family is extremely grateful for the kind and compassionate care provide to Paul by the staff at Country Meadows as well as the staff at Caring Hospice Services. We wish to heartily thank Nancy Martin who organized a fireman’s tribute for Paul shortly before his death.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11AM on Friday, April 27, 2018 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 558 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA 17603, with Rev. Michael E. Messner as Celebrant. A visitation will take place1 hour prior to the service. Interment with Military Honors will immediately follow the service in Conestoga Memorial Park. There will be a luncheon for family and friends at the church following interment. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church at the above address.