Thomas L. Cracas ’61

Thomas L. Cracas ’61, of Staunton, Va., formerly of Kent, Conn.; Mar. 4. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he enrolled at Brown and met his future wife, Karen Marie Jarratt, who predeceased him. Upon graduating, he had a long career as a high school Latin teacher and coach. His career began at Brooks School (Mass.), followed by time at Blair Academy (N.J.), culminating at Kent School (Conn.). At Kent, he coached freshman football, junior varsity basketball, and girls varsity basketball. He also coached Little League baseball for the town of Kent. In 1979, he earned his MBA from UConn and subsequently served as land manager for Kent School overseeing two campuses, an equestrian center, hay harvesting operations, and the transplanting of blueberry bushes gifted to Kent School by Henry Kissinger, while continuing to teach. He served in leadership positions for the American Classical League and the Classical Association of Connecticut. He retired to Virginia in 1999 and was active in Trinity Episcopal Church, Friends of the Library, and the Staunton Rotary Club, where he was secretary for 10 years. He is survived by three sons, two daughters-in-law, eight grandchildren, and two brothers and sisters-in-law.