Brian Patrick McCrane

brian mccrane
Brian P. McCrane

Retired U.S. Navy Captain

Captain Brian P. McCrane, USN (Ret), passed away peacefully on February 20, 2018 at his home in Vienna, VA. He was 88 years old.

Brian was born on 7 June 1929 in Teaneck, NJ and was the son of Joseph and Marjorie McCrane. He was the fifth child in a family of seven sons and two daughters.

Inspired by his father’s service in the U.S. Navy during the First World War, as a boy Brian dreamed about joining the Navy and serving as captain of an American warship. His biggest step toward that goal was gaining entrance into the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Upon his graduation from the Academy with a B.S. degree in Engineering in 1953, Brian was assigned to sea duty aboard the USS Eaton (DD-510). This marked the beginning of a long and successful naval career of some 26 years, during which he earned promotions culminating in the rank of Captain and served with distinction both at sea and ashore.

Among his significant sea duty experiences, Brian served as Operations Officer on the USS Waller (DD-466) during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The Waller was part of the American quarantine of Soviet ships sailing for Cuba. Brian earned a Letter of Commendation for his performance during that operation.

In June 1966, Brian fulfilled his childhood dream when he was appointed to his first command, the USS Calcaterra (DER-390). As skipper of the Calcaterra, he led the ship and its crew on Operation Deep Freeze, an eight-month, 10,000 mile expedition that rendered the Navy’s logistical support for scientific research in the Antarctic.

In his second command, Brian had the distinction of serving as the last captain of the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (DD-850). His final order in that role was to take the Kennedy to Fall River, Massachusetts, where it would become part of the Battleship Cove museum of historic American warships.

Brian also served sea duty tours aboard the USS Olmstead (APA-188), USS Wisconsin (BB-64), and USS Strong (DD-758), the latter as Executive Officer.

Brian always considered it a privilege to serve his country. Although sea duty was Brian’s true love as a naval officer, he served in several shore capacities, including an assignment as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to the Chairman, Military Staff Committee, U.S. Delegation to the United Nations and the Commander Eastern Sea Frontier.

Brian attended the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI and earned a Master’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University in 1972.

Upon his retirement from the Navy in 1979, Brian transitioned into civilian life as a consultant in New York City. During the early 1980s, he played a key behind-the-scenes consulting role in helping to bring the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid to New York City as a historical museum. It is now one of the city’s most popular visitor sites. Brian later joined Vinnell Corporation in Fairfax, VA, as an assistant Vice President of Business Development.

Brian also served for 14 years as a volunteer counselor with the Washington DC chapter of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE).

In retirement, Brian enjoyed regular contact with friends from the Navy, and he always looked forward to monthly luncheons of his Naval Academy classmates. He was an avid Navy football fan and loved to watch the Midshipmen play both at Memorial Stadium and on television. Brian was also a voracious reader. He especially enjoyed reading about military history and filled his study with favorite books.

Brian was preceded in death in 2009 by his wife of 53 years, Grace McCrane, whom he met in Bayhead, New Jersey, where his family had a summer home. He is survived by his four children, Denise, Patrick, Michele, and Brian; siblings Brendan, Gerard, and Gregory and six grandchildren, Kiera, Mackenzie, Brian, Bobby, Allison, and Andrew. During the final years of his life, he lived at his home in Vienna, VA, where he enjoyed the love and support of many family members and friends.

Brian’s faith was important to him throughout his life. During his post-Navy years, he belonged to St. Mark Catholic Church in Vienna.

A visitation is scheduled at St. Mark on Thursday, March 1, from 12n-1p. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St Mark on Thursday, March 1 at 1p. An interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA (date and time TBD) In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those desiring to do so, honor his memory with a contribution to the charity that they hold most dear.

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I treasure my friendship with Brian, who is truly one of the best individuals I have ever met. I will miss him dearly.

    During the past few years, I visited Brian and Denise roughly every month, and during this time it was a gift to spend time with both of my dear friends. I loved hearing stories about Brian’s fascinating career in the Navy, as well as watching Navy football games and historical documentaries with him. At times we’d simply keep each other company at the kitchen table, with Brian reading through some of his favorite books and mementoes, and me attending to work on my computer.

    These everyday memories and times spent together will now take on a special meaning. I am blessed to have known Brian, and our friendship will be an important part of my life forever.

    David Yamada

  2. 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!

  3. I was so saddened to learn of Brian’s passing. My wife, Jane, and I got to now Brian about a year ago and were struck my his remarkable life. Having served for many years in the military, I was impressed by Brian’s education at the Naval Academy and his history-book career. I had the opportunity to review some of his remembrances and official communications, regarding his naval career. This was a bona fide hero. As a junior anti-submarine warfare officer in the destroyer USS WALLER, Brian developed fresh tactics on how to identify, track and eventually force a submarine to surface, tactics that were successfully used against Russian submarines off the southeastern U.S. coast during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was this type of initiative, coupled with Brian’s leadership skills, which earned him command of two Navy destroyers later in his career. His life as a career officer and dedicated public servant is an example for all of us. This was a good man, who lived his life in and out of uniform in a way that I, personally, would like to emulate. Peace be with you as you cross the bar, Captain.
    — Rear Admiral John Acton (Ret.)

  4. 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.

  5. I feel privileged to have been Brian’s weekend caregiver these last six months. In this short time Brian gained my respect and admiration. Each day he demonstrated exactly how I would hope to behave if the situation was reversed. He let me know in many ways how much he appreciated my assistance. He never complained and was often smiling. In moments of clarity he was able to show me his ironic sense of humor. He loved taking walks and when he got going it was difficult to get him to stop. He was strong. We laughed that he was like the Energizer Bunny! Ciao, Brian!

  6. 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

  7. In tribute to my Dad, I thought I would share my eulogy I gave at my Dad’s funeral:

    It is a great honor to pay tribute to my Dad today.

    As many of you heard at my Mom’s funeral eight years ago, my Dad and Mom adopted me 54 years ago. I literally would not be here today if not for the decision my parents made to adopt me. Specifically, my Dad got help from the navy and Admiral Doddleman to help cut through the red tape to adopt me. I am a firm believer that you are a product of your environment, and my Dad did a great job creating health loving environment for Denise, Michele, Brian and me. I will be forever grateful to my Dad for adopting me, raising me, teaching me about faith and values and giving me opportunity.

    Dad was a serious man but he also had a fun side that not many people ever saw. I always loved to watch him with his brothers, as I don’t think I ever saw him laugh as hard or as much as when he was with them.

    We had a great childhood as we moved around the country. I will always remember our family trips from our Winnebago trip to NH where my dad had to catch the mouse to our summer vacation in a camper, to going to my Grandmas beach house to our trip to the Bahamas in a small plane. My dad did a great job providing for us and exposing us to different experiences.

    My dad was always there for me – I have fond memories of him helping me with my paper route on Sunday mornings, going to Dunkin Donuts and going to early mass so we would have the whole day ahead of us.

    When my mom died, it was very hard for my dad. My mom and dad were married for 53 years, and my mom was his compass. He missed her dearly.

    My dad had an amazing naval career. They say that if you want to be successful in life, you should do what you love. Well, my dad loved the navy. He would have done it all over again in a heartbeat. He also loved navy football. He just loved going to and watching the games.

    My Dad had a strong faith. He enjoyed being a part of the teams group. He loved going to Saturday morning masses with the Summervilles and Karen Mansfield. After mass, they would go to the silver diner for breakfast. I used to join them when I was in town, and it was like Cheers as all the staff knew their names

    I have learned a ton from my Dad. I want to share two of his behaviors with you today. I try to emulate them every day, and I think the world would be a much better place if we all model these behaviors.

    One is his work ethic, my Dad taught me the importance of hard work and he did a great job role modeling that – from being away for 9 months at a time when we were little to studying late at night in the bathroom when we lived in Newport RI to commuting 5 hrs back and forth from Ridgefield Ct to NY City. He never said a word about it or ever complained. When you are a teenager, you don’t notice those things but as I look back it is amazing what he did to provide for our family

    The other behavior I try to emulate is his selflessness. I don’t think my father ever did anything for himself his whole life … it was always for someone else. He never bought anything for himself, only necessities and books, as he loved to read.

    We were raised with a ton of structure, and my dad was very strict. All he had to do is give me the look and I knew I was in trouble. He didn’t even have to say anything. But in the end, it was good for me.

    As his Alzheimers progressed and took away his memory and filters, we got to see another side of my Dad, but what impressed me the most is even without his filters he was kind and gentle and never got mad.

    Although Alzheimers took away everything he loved to do, he was happy, and I am very grateful for the time I got to spend with him over the last couple of years staying at his house when I was in town for business.

    Dad’s one request as he aged is that he wanted to stay in his house. I want to personally thank my sister Denise for making that possible by taking care of him over the last five years. I also want to thank Roland for all his help as well.

    I am happy for my Dad today as I know he is in heaven with my mother, his soulmate.

  8. 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


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

Accessibility Tools
hide