This memorial website was created in memory of Tod McCrae, Son of the late Agnew Bruce McCrae and Marjorie (Jenks) McCrae. A Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and a Friend to many.
Tod (Mr Magoo) grabbed his golf bag and guitar and went knocking at the Pearly Gates at age 64, after working the day over a hot grill and hanging up his apron and winter coat for the last time. A golfer, musician, poet and free spirit Pawtucket RI "Tolman Senior High classmate of 72". He spoke his last appropriate 4 letter word and made a hot meal for a stranger on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 when he encountered an unhandled exception in his core operating system, which triggered a critical STOP condition.
The way he left this world - is just as he lived it: he wrote his own recipes, fought authority and he paved his own way with the spices he used. If you said he couldn’t do it, he would make sure to prove you wrong! He was an intelligent man with a New England twang, a impish smile, love for adventure, eminent sense of humor, and soft hazel green eyes.
He lived a 100 years in the 64 calendar years we had with him because he attacked life; he grabbed it by the scruff of the neck, kissed it, and swung it back onto the frying pan.
At the age of 15 he planned to circumnavigate the world — instead, he ended his hippy adventure into adulthood with a mini me — Shad (Michelle) McCrae, along the path he added two more sons, Brandon McCrae, and Cameron McCrae. In 2001 his adventure continued with the addition of 2 stepsons Micheal (Carrie) St.Arnaud and Joel (Jamie) St.Arnaud.
He was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important — the simplicity of living a life with those you love. His acute awareness of the importance of a life lived with the ones you love over any material possession was only handicapped by his territorial attachment to the remote control, computer golf and his acknowledgement that everything was his fault. "my bad"
He loved to put on memorable parties and wow family and friends with his "Culinary Institute of America" skills. His regrets were few, but he never gave up and believed that he could someday correct them all. Of all the people whose lives he touched, both knowing and unknowing, his proudest achievements were his children, 5 grandchildren and marrying his wife Crystal (Kerwin) St.Arnaud-McCrae, who supported him in all his glory during his Match.com chatroom heyday, and lovingly stood by his side during their last 6,676 days together (18 1/2 yrs).
He never saw it coming, yet in his Good Shepard heart and spirit - he knew where he was going. You can be sure he'll be watching down from Heaven over his children and siblings Bruce McCrae (Rudy Cheeks), Walter Scott (Barbara) McCrae, and Susan (McCrae) Browning. His grandchildren Molly, Grace, Stephanie, Danika and Micheal Jack can count on seeing butterflies as they travel their own paths in life.
We will remember Tod and love him beyond words to the moon and back forever.
Finally, A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to be announced soon, Tod will be laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery in Valapariso IN. Memorials may be made to the family or your local Senior Center. Remembrance may be expressed to the family here online or by mail @ 747 Timberline Pky, Valparaiso IN, 46385
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 : There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…
Tributes
Leave a tributeWe reconnected years later on Facebook. As much as he missed R.I. he loved his life in Indiana. He spoke about his boat, his concern for Crystal's health and the excitement of celebrating her birthday with dinner in Chicago. Truth be told, he hated the weather especially this year, but was excited spring was just around the corner. Mentioned he may even get a new bike.
I wish you peace my dear friend.
Is that your smile?
I been looking at you for ever,
Yet I never saw you before.
Are these your hands? Holding mine?
Now I wonder how I could have been so blind.
And for the first time, I am looking in your eyes.
For the first time, I'm seeing who you are.
I can't believe how much I see,
When you're looking back at me.
Now I understand what love is,
Love is
For the first time