Pawleys Island: John Sherwin Bracken died on September 17, 2012 at his home of seventeen years in Pawleys Island following a serious illness. Born in Sharon, PA, June 27, 1941, the son of John William Bracken and Elizabeth Denardo Sherwin Bracken, he is survived by his wife, Nancy Knowles Bracken, a brother Rodney Bracken and his wife Sherry of Shelton, WA. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Sally Field of Georgetown and Donna McIntyre of New Braunfels, TX. Extended family includes six nieces, one nephew, and their many family members. After obtaining a Bachelor's degree from Mount Union College in Alliance, OH, he moved to Western New York and worked for many years as a school library media specialist, teaching teachers how to use audiovisual equipment and materials while participating in union activities and local historic preservation projects. On the first day of school in 1969, he met and on the day after school was out, married Nancy Knowles, a first grade teacher and his wife of 43 years. Since they both drove yellow convertibles, it was a match meant to be. During their marriage, they travelled extensively meeting new friends and seeing the world. John Bracken's work history included social work, bookstore and video store clerk, gate attendant at Litchfield Plantation, Brookgreen Gardens, and most recently Huntington Beach State Park. He enjoyed meeting the visitors and sharing this beautiful area. John has supported many environmental causes including the Waccamaw Riverkeeper, South Carolina Environmental Law Project, Sierra Club, SC United Turtle Enthusiasts and others. He served for many years as the local delegate to the state Sierra Club. He has been involved in and had leadership roles in many cultural, educational, and community groups including Scholars Forum, Myrtle Beach Stamp Club, League of Women Voters, Friends of the Waccamaw and Georgetown Libraries, and the Cultural Council. Always eager to learn and establish relationships, it was said that John never met a stranger and never missed an event. A Party to Clebrate John Bracken's Life will be held SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2012, from 5:30-8:30 PM at ATALAYA, HUNTINGTON BEACH STATE PARK, 16148 OCEAN HIGHWAY, MURRELLS INLET, SC 29576. Please join us for an evening of memories, music, food and drink, as we say goodbye to John with a party, just the way he would want it. Please pass the word to all John's friends. RSVP to nancybracken@juno.com To get in the park, if you have a pass please show it. If you don't have a pass, just stop at the booth and tell them you are going to John Bracken's party. The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is assisting the family. Sign a guestbook at: www.mayerfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to the Winyah Rivers Foundation, PO Box 261954, Conway, SC 29528-6054, South Carolina Environmental Law Project, PO Box 1380, Pawleys Island, SC 29585, or Friends of the Waccamaw Library, PO Box 1152, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. Funeral Home: Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home 222 Saint James Street Georgetown, SC US 29440