E. Craig, Stephen

Stephen Edward Craig, of 104 Pennsylvania Avenue, Trumansburg, died on March 23, 2005 at the Oak Hill Manor in Ithaca, New York, where he had lived for one year. (Stephen was previously a resident of Alterra in Ithaca for eighteen months.)

Born on February 14, 1921, at home, in Trumansburg, Stephen was the son of Stephen H. Craig and Edna Mahoney Craig. He graduated from Trumansburg Central School in 1938 and at the age of 19, enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served a six year tour. He then enrolled in Ithaca College and graduated in 1951 with a B.S. in Physical Education.

Stephen taught in Trumansburg for one year followed by two years at the Romulus Central School. While at Romulus he taught English and Math in addition to coaching varsity basketball. He returned to Trumansburg the next year to teach in the Junior High School. At this time Stephen returned to college and completed 32 graduate hours which gave him the certification necessary to teach history at the high school level. Following his retirement in 1976, Stephen taught driver education for a few summers.

Before being stricken by Alzheimer's Disease, Stephen spent many enjoyable years of retirement performing kind acts like delivering meals to shut-ins, helping neighbors, taking care of the roses at St. James Church in Trumansburg (where he was a Communicant) and spending time with lonely people, all without seeking any fanfare. He also served on the board at Juniper Manor and helped at the St. James Catholic Cemetery. Stephen was honored by the Trumansburg Rotary and also the Sertoma Club in Ithaca for "Man of the Year", and was the recipient of the "Tompkins Trust Company Award for Excellence".

In addition to his parents, Stephen was preceded in death by his daughter, Anne Mary Craig, and his sister, Mary Craig Cecil. He is survived by his wife, of 54 years, Joan Dowd Craig (who also taught high school English); one sister-in-law, Anne Dowd Gegg; one brother-in-law, James Joseph Foley; several cousins and nieces and three nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Eugene O'Hara, OFM Cap. at the St. James Roman Catholic Church in Trumansburg on Monday, March 28, 2005 at 10:00 am. The family will be present to receive their friends, at a light reception in the church hall, immediately following the Mass. Prayers of Committal, at St. James Cemetery in Trumansburg, will be scheduled at a later date.

In keeping with Stephen's wishes, no public calling hours have been scheduled.

The family has entrusted arrangements to the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St. Trumansburg. 1-888-534-5446.

Page Submitted By: Joseph L. Sibley, Director