Benson Lloyd McCready, 80, of York, PA and formerly of Crisfield, passed away on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 surrounded by his family at York Hospital.

Born in Crisfield on April 7, 1931 he was the son of the late Lloyd A. McCready and Mildred Benson McCready. He was a horseman for Hanover Shoe Farm for 14 years resulting in a lifelong love of horses. After that he worked for Asplundh Tree Company for 4 years until forced to retire when he was disabled by an accident while working as a grounds man. He currently resided at the Lutheran Home in York.

He was a life member of the Hanover Elks Lodge # 0763, and a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hanover.

Surviving are two sons, Benson Lee McCready of Mt. Wolf, Pa, and Berry Wayne McCready and wife Liz of Dover, PA; two daughters, Vicki McCready of York, PA and Jo Ann McCready of Iva, SC; one brother Rev. Berry McCready and wife Maxine of Berlin; and a sister, Barbara Conner of Santa Cruz, CA; also survived by 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Pat Gaddy.

Thoughts of his eldest son, Ben, "My father was disabled at the age of 46 by accident at work resulting in a spinal cord injury. In spite of this devastating injury he never lost the hope and will to recover the strength and ability of his legs. He miraculously walked out of Johns Hopkins Hospital using just a cane. He exercised every day with a routine that became a big part of his life. Until he was told by an authority that thought they knew when certain exercises were no longer beneficial. He was told to stop. This disrupted a lifelong regiment of exercise. No agency or person should have a right to make that decision for a patient as long as that patient is of sound mind. Even though he was declining somewhat in his exercises anything was an accomplishment and gave him something to look forward to. Exercising kept my father's will and hope alive. A therapy room in a nursing home should be an offered activity for all patients to use until they decide to stop on their own. Wheeling your wheelchair down to wait in line to maybe get out of that chair, if only for a second, to struggle to stand is hope of staying alive."

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield where friends may call one hour prior to the service. His nephew, the Rev. Daryl McCready will officiate. An Elks memorial service will be conducted by the Crisfield Elks Lodge # 1044. Interment will be in Sunnyridge Memorial Park.

In Ben's memory contributions may be made to the Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, P. O. Box 62, Glennville, PA 17329

To send condolences to the family please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com