McCrery Funeral Home, Inc.

In 1911, 23 year old Albert J. McCrery began to offer his services as a funeral director to the Wilmington community. His business was first operated out of his home in the city on 24^th Street. As the tradition of holding a funeral in a private residence waned in popularity, Mr. McCrery built the first building in Wilmington designed specifically as a funeral home. The building was located at 2700 Washington Street and operated continuously for some 50 years.

As the population began to move west and north of the city, Mr. McCrery purchased the Hollingsworth residence at 3010 Kirkwood Highway and purchased property at 3924 Concord Pike. Mr. McCrery, Sr. died in 1962 and the ownership of the business transferred to Albert J. McCrery, Jr., the second generation of the family to operate the funeral home. Under Mr. McCrery, Jr.'s guidance the property at 3924 Concord Pike was developed, and twice expanded. Also, when the state of Delaware planned the Rt. 141 interchange at Rt. 2, the 3010 Kirkwood Highway location was razed and the location moved to 3710 Kirkwood Highway. Prior to his 1999 death, Mr. McCrery, Jr. had transferred ownership of the business to his son, Albert J. McCrery, III, who has continued and refined the traditions of excellence established by his father and grandfather.

During the McCrery history, there have been several former long term licensed funeral directors on staff, Oscar H. Orr (retired), Edwin F. McCoy, George H. Miller, George H. Pinder, and S. Elbert Evans (retired), who have been instrumental in the success and longevity of the business.