Dr. Peter Neil McCracken

It is with great sadness that we announce the death, on Monday, June 24th, of Peter Neil McCracken, beloved husband of Sandra Hobbs and father of Clinton.

Peter was born in Montreal, attended Loyola High School and College, and graduated from McGill University Medical School. Trained in Internal Medicine, he served as Physician-in-Chief at St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal from 1981-88. When Peter became Division Director of Geriatric Medicine at McGill University it was still an emerging field, one which he developed and promoted over the course of his career. His contribution can best be described in terms of compassion, commitment and leadership.

In 1988, he became Professor and Director of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Alberta, and Clinical Head of Geriatrics at the Edmonton General Hospital, later at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. In these roles he gave medical professionals the foundation to meet the needs of the elderly through community-based programming and education.

Peter cultivated a geriatric presence in Alberta hospitals through enthusiastic collaboration, multi-disciplinary thinking and a team approach. He worked with the Alzheimer Society and coordinated a number of clinical trials for dementia drugs.

Teaching was Peter’s greatest passion; his enthusiasm for learning and his thoughtful guidance inspired many to pursue specializations in geriatrics. People saw him as a role-model and mentor. He had a profound sense of justice and equality, commitment and tolerance, of unrelenting personal courage and great generosity and loving kindness, and saw no contradiction between seriousness and great good humour.

Peter was extraordinarily committed to the well-being of his patients. His dedication and high standards left a lasting impression on not only patients, but also their families, as well as on staff and colleagues. What came through, always, was his large heart and humanistic approach.

Peter’s efforts were recognized by the Hingston Award for Distinguished Physician at St. Mary’s in 1988, the Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Society for Geriatric Medicine in 1999, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

Peter was a friend to many - medical colleagues, students, golf buddies, old classmates, and neighbours from Edmonton, Montreal and Highgate Springs, Vermont, his beloved country home. He and Sandra liked to entertain their large, extended families. He loved the Montreal Expos, Boston Bruins, good food, and the witless dogs that unerringly found their way into his life.

Peter was the son of Edward and Teresa McCracken of Montreal, both deceased, brother of Edward (Judy), Anne (Andre Fitzpatrick, deceased), Gerry, Joan (Dave Belyea) and Susan, deceased (Andrew Bognar). Peter was also cherished by his in-laws, Dick (deceased) and Phyllis Hobbs, Beryl Baldeo (Albert, deceased), Wendy Barton (Dennis), Brian (Lois), Lynn Hodgins (Jim), Brenda, and Randy (Karen). There are many loving nieces and nephews in both families.

The family did receive condolences on July 2nd from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Hainstock’s Funeral Home, 9810-34th Avenue, Edmonton. A funeral Mass is held today at 11:00 a.m. on July 3rd at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 210 Haddow Close, Edmonton. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Montreal.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dr. Peter N. McCracken Legacy Fund (care of Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, 10230 111th Avenue, Edmonton) would be welcomed.