White River Junction, Vt. —
Mark was born in Seattle, Wash. on Jan. 21, 1949. He was the son of Joseph R. McCrackin and Frances L. (Owens) McCrackin. He grew up in Atlanta, Ga., and graduated from The Westminster School. He went on to Vanderbilt University where he received a B.A. in Art History and then to the University of Washington for advanced study in architecture.
Mark worked in bookselling and publishing in Seattle and New York which led to a long career in writing and marketing with companies such as Atari and Coleco. In the late 90’s, Mark moved to the Upper Valley and worked with GDT/Tele Atlas (now TomTom) and Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business in their Creative Services departments, retiring from Tuck in 2011.
An outspoken Democrat, Mark served as a burgess of the Borough of Stonington, Conn., in the early ‘90’s.
Mark loved to travel and had a passion for large-scale garden design. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Mark, including how to throw a good party, tell a good joke, and the importance of respecting all creatures, especially hummingbirds and his succession of idiosyncratic cats. He was often found socializing at his Tigertown cabin surrounded by great friends.
Mark leaves his partner of 20 years, Keith Burnor, and his former wife and best friend of 50 years, Nanci McCrackin of Peterborough, N.H. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles A. “Alec” McCrackin. He is also survived by his nephew, Jordan McCrackin of Dubai, his niece Miriam McCrackin Lochridge of Atlanta, and his sister-in-law, Bobbie McCrackin also of Atlanta.
In accordance with Mark’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or formal service. The family is planning a celebration of Mark’s life at the cabin in the spring.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Upper Valley Humane Society: https://uvhs.org.