Thomas McCracken

Native Staten Islander Thomas M. McCracken, 55, of Laurel, Md., an independent technical consultant who loved sports, died Aug. 23 at home.

Born in Richmond Valley, he grew up in Tottenville and graduated from Tottenville High School.

Mr. McCracken attended Kings College in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.

He had been working as an independent consultant for about 10 years.

Mr. McCracken moved to Danville, Va., in 1999 and had been living in Laurel for about 10 years.

He liked model trains and was a member of a model train club while living in Virginia.

Mr. McCracken was a sports enthusiast and especially enjoyed auto racing, golf, baseball, football and hockey. The New York Mets and New Jersey Devils were his favorite teams. He also enjoyed computer technology and video games.

He was caring and animated and upbeat, said his brother, David McCracken. He liked to help people. He was a free spirit, and very much did his own thing his own way.

He loved children and was very good with them, his brother added. He loved his niece, Nicole, very much.

While living on the Island, Mr. McCracken was a member of South Baptist Church, Tottenville.

The funeral service will be Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville. Arrangements include cremation.

Services: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Tuesday, September 1, 2015 4:00PM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Memorial Visitation , Tuesday September 1 ,2015 2-5 PM.

Cemetery: Cremation Will Be Private

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home