Military family finds ways to honor man who died from brain cancer amid social distancing

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Kelly McCracken met the love of her life Padraic while they were in college. They were together for 30 years, married for 25.

He was a Naval officer who went on to become a pilot. He spent his career flying for Delta. Together, they have two teen children, Fiona and Liam.

“He wanted to make moments with the kids all the time,” Kelly said. “Whether they were small moments (such as) eating dinner together, or big moments.”

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Two years ago, Padraic was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Through it all, the family became even closer – they went on trips and bonded over running, something Padraic loved to do.

But last Wednesday, the cancer took Padraic’s life, and nobody could come over to mourn.

“It was an eerily quiet day, and I think it has compounded their grief,” Kelly said.

Grieving a death during the coronavirus pandemic changes everything, Kelly said. Padraic had lived all over the U.S. while in the military, so his friends were spread out across the country.

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His family wanted to have a big ceremony, but funeral services had to be 10 people or fewer, six feet apart. And no one can travel anyway.

Instead, the family decided to cremate his body and put the service on hold until after the coronavirus scare is over.

Still, friends organized a parade with around 75 cars to pass by their home, honk and wave signs with messages of love.

Kelly said it was a blessing, but she still can’t wait to see her children be hugged and to share their father’s life, surrounded by people they love, whenever that is.

“They really wanted to be able to look around and see all the people who loved him,” Kelly said.

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