Richard Norman McCracken of Orleans, MA passed away after a long battle with cancer at age 84 on Friday, June 11, 2021, at the Terraces of Orleans under their skilled care and that of Beacon Hospice. Born in Glasgow (Motherwell) Scotland, Norman was the 2nd son of the late Dr. Robert James McCracken presiding minister of the Riverside Church of New York City and his wife, Maud Orr Ibbotson.

Richard graduated from Colby College in Maine in 1960 where he met his wife, Eleanor L. Reed. After studying sociology, he went to work in Worcester MA for the YMCA and later  worked for RPI in New York where he shared admissions and financial aid duties. This led him to finish a graduate degree from SUNY of Albany in student personnel administration. Next, he was hired as the admissions director of the Ambler campus of Temple University in Philadelphia PA. The Family left Pennsylvania to live in Great Barrington, MA. hired by Simon’s Rock Early College, now part of Bard College in NY.

In his later years, his interest switched to food service and innkeeping, where he completed his training as night manager at the Williams Inn in Williamstown, MA and eventually, with Eleanor, purchased the Gaslight Restaurant in Egremont, MA. He finished his career retiring after eight years as maître d’ of the Wequassett Inn in S. Orleans, on Cape Cod, where he was able to enjoy being on the water with his family.

R. Norman is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eleanor and son, Bruce McCracken and his wife, Julia McCracken; their grandchildren James, Andrew and Emily. He was predeceased by his son, Scott McCracken on September 20th, 2017.

Burial services will be private at the family plot at Hope Cemetery in Worcester MA.

We have such great memories of our 50 year friendship with Norm and Ellie, Bruce and Scott. We met the McCracken's when we moved to Doylestown PA. from MI. Along with the VanSchuyler's from RI we become a "family" all living at Regency Woods townhouses. Having fun dinners, celebrating New Years Eve and just being together for many fun occasions and outings. As we moved from PA back to MI and McCracken's back to MA. the VanSchuyler's staying in PA the friendships stayed as strong as they were when we were all neighbors in Doylestown. The miles never made a difference because of the bonds we developed back in 1972. A couple of years ago we met Norm and Ellie in Boston for lunch. They came to the city from the Cape and we were in Boston for a business meeting. It was the last time we saw Norm and we are so glad to have had the chance to be together. It was such a wonderful time of catching up and walking around Boston. Losing Scott was a heartache for all of us. What a wonderful young man and he shared his love of the water and boating with his parents and brother Bruce. To Ellie and Bruce and family, you are in our thoughts often. You are special people in our lives and we are so grateful that when we arrived in Doylestown in 1972 you became a part of 50 years of friendship and wonderful memories. Tom and Connie Haan Plainwell MI

It is hard to say goodbye, Norman will be with Scott and the two will look down and watch over Eleanor and Bruce. Rest is peace Norm and Scott, We love you.