Mark McCRACKIN

1949 - 2018

McCRACKIN, Mark Mark Owens McCrackin died on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at his home in White River Junction, VT after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Mark was born in Seattle, WA on January 21, 1949. He was the son of Joseph R. McCrackin and Frances L. (Owens) McCrackin. He grew up in Atlanta, GA and graduated from the Westminster School. He went on to Vanderbilt University, where he received a B.A. in Art History and then to the University of Washington for advanced study in Architecture. Mark worked in bookselling and publishing in Seattle and New York, which led to a long career in writing and marketing with companies such as Atari and Coleco. In the late 90's, Mark moved to New Hampshire and Vermont's Upper Valley, where he worked with GDT/Tele Atlas (now TomTom) and Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business in their Creative Services departments, retiring from Tuck in 2011. An outspoken Democrat, Mark served as a burgess of the Borough of Stonington, CT in the early 90's. Mark loved to travel, having visited 46 countries on 6 continents. He also had expertise in landscape and large-scale garden design. His passion for outdoor space was evident early on through his leadership in the Save Open Space campaign, which preserved the pastoral beauty of Vanderbilt's old central campus. His friends and family were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Mark, including how to throw a good party, tell a good joke, and the importance of respecting all of nature's creatures. Mark leaves behind his partner of 20 years, Keith Burnor, and his former wife and best friend of 50 years, Nanci McCrackin of Peterborough, NH. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles A. "Alec" McCrackin. He is also survived by his nephew, Jordan McCrackin of Dubai, his niece, Miriam McCrackin Lochridge of Atlanta, and his sister-in-law, Bobbie McCrackin also of Atlanta. In accordance with Mark's wishes, there will be no formal service. The family is planning a celebration of Mark's life in the spring. Memorial contributions can be made to the Upper Valley Humane Society: UVHS.ORG.