Brian Patrick McCrane

I was fortunate to meet Brian about a year ago, and what an honor it was to know him. He was full of joy, kindness and light. We always enjoyed sharing a hearty “Go Navy!” whenever I visited, and I was profoundly touched by his love of the USNA and the USN. Although I had the privilege of knowing him only a short time–when he was already well down the road with Alzheimer’s–it didn’t take long to understand the depth of his patriotism–his love of and duty to country–as well as his deep and abiding faith. I’ll miss Brian and all that he taught me about living with joy, integrity and dignity up to the very end of his earthly life. He inspired me and my husband John; even our grown children, who never had the privilege of knowing him, were struck by how much Brian touched us. Brian’s impact on the world will live on through the many people he encountered and loved throughout his life. God bless you, Brian!

I have been blessed to have known “Mr. McCrane” since I was 19 years old (almost 40 years). I initially knew him as my best friend Denise’s father and much later in life I adopted him as my own father. He was the personification of Class and Honor. When think of him, I will remember many things; most notably his love for his wife & children and his love for the Navy and Navy football! It has been absolutely amazing to witness how he managed to maintain his dignity, elegance and gentlemanly ways up until his final hours.
You were loved, you were admired and you will be truly missed.

I did not know Brian McCrane well. Only through his incredible daughter and interactions with him at the gym while he was well. He was a fine gentlemen who always smiled. I will always remember the loving care from his daughter and his obvious love for her. I know he will live forever in those who loved him as his beautiful daughter , Denise he was very blessed and now he is at peace

I would like to add the eulogy I gave at Brian’s funeral:

EULOGY FOR BRIAN MCCRANE
By David Yamada

Our dear friend Brian was a modest and humble man, and I believe he might gently dissent if I started this eulogy by calling him a great man. So folks, let me say that Brian McCrane was one of the greatest of the good men. And like so many other military officers who serve with honor and without fanfare, he deserves to be called one of our heroes. He sure is one of mine.

Before I share more about Brian, I should briefly introduce myself. My name is David Yamada, I live in Boston, and Denise and I became best friends when she still lived there. When she moved to Virginia, I would visit the McCrane family regularly. During this time, Brian became a treasured friend. And so today I join with you to honor and remember him.

Brian’s life was something of an All American success story, grounded in family, friends, faith, and service to his country.

He was born in 1929 in Teaneck, NJ, to Joseph and Marjorie McCrane, the fifth in a procession of seven sons and two daughters. I am told that Brian was a very good son, and a caring brother with a mischievous sense of humor. He often talked warmly of his siblings and their successes and milestones.

As a young boy, Brian was inspired by his father’s service in the Navy during the First World War. He dreamed about joining the Navy and serving as skipper of an American warship. With that goal in mind, he worked very hard at school to get the necessary marks. This committed path earned him a coveted appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Brian’s father gave him one big piece of advice for Annapolis: “Don’t quit, whatever you do, don’t quit.” Brian embraced this advice, and it paid off. He graduated in 1953 and was assigned to sea duty aboard the USS Eaton. During a long and distinguished career, he rose to the rank of Captain. I’d like to mention just three highlights from his service record that Brian often talked about:

• First, and this is my claim, not Brian’s, Brian helped to make history. He served as Operations Officer on the USS Waller during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. The Waller was part of the American quarantine of Soviet ships sailing for Cuba. Thanks in part to tactics suggested by Brian, the Waller forced one of the Russian submarines to surface. He deservedly earned commendations for his performance during that operation and helped to save us from nuclear annihilation.
• Second, Brian fulfilled his childhood dream. In June 1966, this nation entrusted him with his first command, the USS Calcaterra, a destroyer escort. As skipper of the Calcaterra, he led the ship and its crew on Operation Deep Freeze, an eight-month expedition providing logistical support for scientific research in the Antarctic. (“Join the Navy and see the world,” right? Brian got to do that.)
• Third, Brian touched history once again. He served as the last captain of the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., a destroyer with a distinguished service record dating back to World War II. His final orders were to take the Kennedy to Fall River, Massachusetts, where it would become part of the Battleship Cove museum of historic American warships.

During his time in the Navy, Brian married and became a father. He met his wife, Grace, in Bayhead, New Jersey, where his family had a summer home, and he fondly recalled the resort where they met. They married in 1956, and eventually Denise, Patrick, Michele, and Brian Jr. would become their family. They lived a Navy life of adventures and sacrifices, and separations and reunions, spent in places like Newport, Key West, New York, and finally, here in northern Virginia. Over the years, Brian shared warm stories about Grace and all of your childhoods.

When Brian retired from the Navy in 1979, he became a business consultant. During the early 1980s, he played a key behind-the-scenes role in helping to bring the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid to New York City as a historical museum, where it is now a leading visitor attraction. He also enjoyed a long association with the Service Corps of Retired Executives as a volunteer counselor.

Brian loved his get togethers with friends from the Navy, especially his class luncheons. He loved watching Navy football games. He was an avid reader and enjoyed books on American history. And he was a regular attendee at Mass and Sunday services.

Brian lived his last years with dementia, but let us embrace rather than dismiss this chapter of his life. One of the most profound lessons of these years — at least a lesson that I needed to learn — is that Alzheimer’s does not necessarily remove someone’s essence. Sometimes you have to work harder to coax it out and nurture it, but it’s there.

My friendship with Brian grew, rather than diminished, during this time. Brian and I talked several times a week on the phone, and he often signed off with the warm line that many of you have heard, “All the best.” When I’d pay visits, Brian and I would keep each other company at the kitchen table during meals or just to read. Often I’d join Brian and Denise for his nighttime prayers, and then Brian would be tucked into bed. As we wished him a good night’s sleep, he’d often say, “Thanks for stopping by.”

Brian did retain his ability to read — which is not always the case for Alzheimer’s patients. He especially loved poring over papers and mementoes from his Navy career, as well as books about naval history. He also enjoyed watching historical documentaries – “Victory at Sea” was a favorite — and listening to and even singing favorite songs from his younger days. Visits to a local frozen yogurt shop were a great treat. He developed a surprising affection for Magic, Denise’s cat. (Brian was not a cat person, but that little guy just won him over.)

There were many moments of clarity, emotion, and understanding, punctuated by Brian’s sweet nature and sense of humor. And thanks especially to Denise, who was her dad’s rock and angel on earth as his main caregiver, Brian was fussed over, cared for, and loved. (Denise, your devotion to your father was extraordinary.)

To all of you who were a part of Brian’s life, and especially to those who could spend time with him during these past few years, thank you so much. Whether it was visiting the house to share your good company, calling to check in on him, providing caregiving for his comfort and safety, coming by the house to mow the lawn and maintain the yard, inviting him to Navy football games and class luncheons, joining him for Mass and for breakfast, the list goes on and on — thank you. Brian was blessed with dear friends and family, and we were blessed to have had that time with him!

I could go on and on about Brian, but he appreciated brevity, so let me sum up. Brian could depart knowing that he led a deeply meaningful life, and that he was loved and respected by so many good people. Although we will miss him very much, it should comfort us that, especially because of his faith, he was ready for this moment.

And so, as a closing note, I will simply borrow from Brian’s words and thoughts for a sentiment to all of you, on his behalf: First, don’t quit. Second, all the best. And finally, thanks for stopping by.

March 1, 2018