Craig passed away peacefully, with family by his side, after a long illness on Thursday, February 24th. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and son in-law.
Craig grew up in Leicester and moved to Brookfield in 1989. He lived an active life full of love and adventure. In his early years he owned the R&D Speed Shop in Spencer, and later C. Thompson Landscaping in Brookfield. He was also a certified Maine whitewater rafting guide and owned New England Whitewater Adventures. For a few years he owned and drove a modified race car at local speedways. He was active in the New England Snowmobile Association, making and maintaining trails in the Brookfield area and competing in grass drag snowmobile races in which he won many trophies. He was an excellent landscaper and gardener, and he once grew an award winning Atlantic Giant pumpkin. He hiked nearly all of the “4000 footers” in the New Hampshire White Mountains.
Craig truly loved spending time with his family, friends, and pets. He often went camping, snowmobiling, rafting, hiking, or some combination thereof with his group of loyal friends and loving family. He coached his son’s elementary school basketball team. He collaborated with his daughter to host extravagant Halloween parties. He built and launched model rockets with his son and granddaughter. In his later years, he most enjoyed camping and walking trails with his wife, granddaughter, and dog.
Craig leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Patricia, son David, granddaughter Piper, sisters Audrey and Valerie, brother James, many nieces and nephews, and loyal companion Lucky. He is predeceased by his mother Eileen, father Clinton, dearly missed daughter Merideth, and brother in-law Brian, whom he considered a true brother.
A celebration of life for Craig will be held on Saturday, March 19th at the Cherry Valley American Legion on Route 9 in Leicester from 4-8 PM. There will be a box to make donations to Second Chance Animal Shelter in Craig’s memory.
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