Richard Patrick Bracken

Richard Patrick (Pat) Bracken, age 79, died Monday, August 19, 2019, at Spectrum Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  He was surrounded by family and passed peacefully.

Pat Bracken was born November 22, 1939 in Canton, Ohio to Richard Leroy Bracken and Martha Dean (Clark) Bracken.    He attended his freshman year at McKinley High School in Canton, OH, earning the American Legion Award, and graduated from Mount Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, PA in 1957.  In both schools he was active in sports including football and track.    Pat attended several colleges including the University of Pennsylvania, where as a freshman football player, he was coached by his football idol, Chuck Bednarik.    After attending college, he served in the United States Army.

When he returned from service, he began a career in marketing and worked forty plus years in industrial, technical and financial marketing.   Pat was also an entrepreneur.  His final business was a silver reclamation company he operated from his home with his life and business partner, Pat (Uma) Chuchvara.

Pat was a dedicated member of Alcoholics Anonymous who motivated and inspired many others to follow the Twelve Step program.   August 24th would have been his 24th year of sobriety.

Pat was smart, funny and fun to be around -- a lovable curmudgeon who sometimes was too stubborn for his own good – and a dreamer who never lost his zest for learning, traveling, and trying new things.

Pat is survived by his love, Patricia Chuchvara (and her family); his brother, Tom Bracken (and wife), his three children, Lydia Musick, Deana Bracken and Grant Bracken (and their spouses), grandchildren, one great grandchild, nieces, nephews and friends.

Pat’s wishes were to be cremated and buried at Fort Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Road, Augusta, Michigan.   A small private ceremony will be held in his honor this fall (date TBD).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sacred Heart Southern Missions.   (1-800-232-9079) www.shsm.org

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