Posted by Rev.Gerard T. McCrane, M.M. on August 9, 2009:

Let me introduce myself. I am Gerard McCrane, a younger brother of Joseph M. McCrane. I am a Maryknoll Missioner - a Catholic Priest of the Maryknoll Fathers based here in New York. I had the privilege of celebrating his funeral Mass at West Point and attended his grave at West Point, together with some of my Maryknoll companions on that day. Let me share a few words about Joe McCrane and what he meant to me and to our family. We are from Teaneck, New Jersey, children of Joseph and Marge McCrane and we are nine children of those great parents. Joe was a major figure in my life and the life of our family. I could go on at length about him. Some data: Joe ranks Number 2 in seniority preceded by Mary, Joe, John (Jack), Kevin, Brian, Gerard, Eileen and Brendon and Gregory. Joe attended school in our home town of Teaneck, N.J. and together with other brothers, attended St. Francis Xavier H.S. in NYC. He and Jack were star athletes at that school. Joe won a scholarship to Fordham U....where he played with and was coached by Vince Lombardi. Joe and Jack were great athletes. I recall that when Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, l941, at dinner that day my Father commented to my Mother that "we need to be ready to send off 3 or 4 of the boys to the service. This looks like it will last a few years." He was right. Joe left Fordham where he was a star player, joined the Marines and on to the Pacific. On Okinawa towards the end of the war, he took an exam for West Point, passed and was accepted. He graduated in the class of l950. A few word, aside from the biography, of appreciation. As the oldest son, my older brother, he was a leader in the family. He was very much at home with himself, was a leader in our family (together with Jack). We are Roman Catholic family - and tried to take our Faith seriously and to live it out. God and Country and the theme of SERVICE to others were marks of our upbringing. We all tried to live by those qualities....even to myself- SERVICE TO OTHERS. Our parents led us in this by their own example to us and within their lives at home, in business, in the community. Joe and Jack were the real leaders and guides in our family. They were actively interested in our lives and careers and well being. I could go on extensively with this but let me try to sum up. Joe was married in the Catholic Church to Joan Mori of NJ......they had five children....he was a devoted family man......He later entered into business and was the Secretary of the Treasury of New Jersey. He is survived by his five children and his widow Joan who lives in San Francisco. In a few words: he continues to be an inspiration for me, even now. A man of deep faith, lived out in practice, guided by the idea of service to others - God, Country and others. MAY HE REST IN PEACE! Rev. Gerard T. McCrane, M.M.

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