Kevin McCracken

Kevin Patrick McCracken, of Holmes, NY, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2025, at the age of 66. His life was shaped by early-onset Parkinson's Disease, diagnosed in 2012, but the illness never dimmed the spark that made Kevin who he was.

A native of the Northwest corner of Connecticut, Kevin spent 38 years living in New York City but returned to his hometown as often as possible, sustaining lifelong friendships and staying closely tied to the landscape that formed him. It was there, in the forests, rivers, and mountains of his youth, that Kevin discovered his affinity for the outdoors and was, as so many observed, truly "in his element."

Anyone who ever saw the back of his Honda Odyssey-packed with camping gear, paddles, skis, fishing rods, archery equipment, and the occasional mushroom field guide-knew instantly what mattered to him. The outdoors wasn't just a hobby for Kevin; it was where he felt most himself.

Kevin had a way about him-exuberant, magnetic, gregarious, warm and endlessly curious. He made friends everywhere, across generations, states, continents. You couldn't go anywhere with him without meeting someone he knew or someone he'd soon charm into becoming a lifelong friend. His ski and kayak buddies could tell you: he never turned down an adventure. He kayaked wild rivers all over the country, raced in canoe and kayak slalom competitions from Maine to Georgia and Connecticut to California, and took part in Project Raft in Russia. An accomplished skier, he explored mountains across the East and West, including Vail, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs, and Snowbird.

Music was another thread running through Kevin's life. He sang, wrote songs, played guitar and banjo, and joined countless Irish and folk sessions with friends. His musical curiosity led him to explore keyboard, sitar, harmonium, and trumpet as well. His penchant for finding himself in remarkable places became a hallmark of his life-whether standing in the Dignitaries Booth at the 1989 World Champion Kayak Races on the Savage River in Maryland, or appearing in the New York Times as "The Huck Finn of the Housatonic" while still a teenager or singing gospel music in a choir directed by singer and actress Wanda Houston. With Kevin, the extraordinary felt perfectly ordinary.

His curiosity extended far beyond adventures. Kevin's love of plant and earth science led him to study geology at Central Connecticut State University, but he never really stopped being a student. His shelves overflowed with books on every imaginable topic. He could talk to anyone-scientists, musicians, spiritual seekers, strangers on a trailhead-and always found common ground.

Kevin's entrepreneurial spirit followed the same pattern: he turned his passions into ways of bringing people together. Over the years he created businesses that reflected what he loved-nature, travel, wellness, food, and spiritual exploration. He co-led retreats that encouraged people to explore mountains and rivers, but also their own inner landscapes. As an ordained minister, he officiated weddings, supported families through loss, and brought meaning and ritual into the lives of others. His reverence for ritual and ceremony-shaped by experiences with Native American traditions, yoga and meditation training, ministry, and global travel-infused his work and his relationships.

When Kevin retired in 2018, he adapted with grace and continued learning, connecting, and showing up for the people he loved. What people remember most about Kevin is simple: his charm, his humor, and that unmistakable smile that could brighten any day-radiant, mischievous, and full of warmth. Ask anyone who knew him, and you will hear either an epic adventure tale or a cherished personal memory of a dear companion.

Kevin was predeceased by his parents, Francis J. McCracken and Barbara L. Cournoyer McCracken, and by his former wife, Leslie Harris. He leaves behind his brother, Shawn P. McCracken of Mountain View, CA; his sister, Sheila P. McCracken of Storrs Mansfield, CT; his niece, Samara McCracken Auser of Quincy, CA; his nephews, Aidan McCracken of Oroville, CA, and Richard Mann of Storrs Mansfield, CT; his grand-niece, Everly Auser of Quincy, CA; his aunt, June McCracken Gagne of Cotuit, MA; and many beloved cousins, along with an extraordinary number of friends who were, in many ways, his chosen family.

Kevin lived with great zest and left behind a world full of people who adored him. A celebration of his life will be held in late spring or early summer of 2026 in the Northwest corner of Connecticut, near the Housatonic River he knew so well. Details will be shared when available.

Donations in his memory may be made to:

Putnam Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

404 Ludingtonville Road

Holmes, NY 12531

To send a personal condolence please visit www.riverviewbyhalvey.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey, LLC.