Andrew Graham Craig

At the age of almost 92, with daughter Candice and son-in-law Florian Schuck holding his hands, Graham left this earthly realm October 19th 2023 in Toronto, ON.

He is survived by his daughters Diana Craig and Candice Craig (Florian Schuck), and grandchildren, from Diana, his beloved Ambar and Amandine and from Candice, his dear Lucas.

Predeceased by his parents Myrtle (’91) and Benjamin (’66), brother William Craig (’09) and son Brent (’14).

Born in Fitzroy Harbour December 3rd 1931, to Myrtle (nee Armstrong) and Benjamin Craig. Eldest brother of Betty (Bert Miller), Billy (June), and Donna (Babe McRae).

Married two times, once to Gwyneth Morley Parker (Brent) and a 2nd marriage to Gabriele Marta Craig (nee Döringer (Diana and Candice). 

Graham loved being from “the Valley” and more importantly, from Fitzroy Harbour. 

It is difficult to wrap 92 years into a few sentences but, the moments he felt most proud about in his life was the “famous” 3 goals in 56 seconds for Campbellford, a newspaper article at the time, naming him “a prince of a fellow”, learning his Dad listened to one of his games over the radio, being signed to the Boston Bruins, however short lived it ended up being once he was blinded in one eye by high sticking, being on the Electronic team that built the “black box” for data recording for airlines, his opportunities to travel the world, being a Freemason, the home and barn he built in Carleton Place, his 3 children and 3 grandchildren and he was very proud of his Scottish roots and being a “Graham”. 

He loved sports, aside from playing hockey and skating circles around the rest of us, he loved playing golf. He still had hope he’d get back out on the ice or the green again. 

Graham was very strong willed and stubborn at times, and could be a little too boastful, but he had an enormous heart and an endearing cheeky sense of humour. He loved to sing and sang with a sparkle in his eye til the end. 

In his later years he spoke more and more about his fond memories of fishing on the Carp river, sitting on the back stoop of the house with his siblings, working at Baird’s General Store and receiving a bottle of Pepsi as part of his pay. He was a very loyal Pepsi drinker his entire life, because of that (could be the fountain of youth elixir?). He spoke of being in the kitchen with his Mother and all the people in his life that made him smile from Fitzroy, to Arnprior, Carleton Place and Ottawa, family in Germany and all whom he was privileged to meet and all he experienced. 

Whenever he could he would share how much he loved his family. Although he didn’t see his siblings a lot in later years, he spoke with affection looking at an old photo he had on his wall and said “there they all are, Wild Billy, Jolly Donna, Coy Betty and Mr Graham, the little rascals”.

He had a full life, novel worthy in fact, and his stories will live on through his children. 

He would say “I love ya, love ya, love ya”
In fact his last word was “love”.

He will be deeply missed by his daughters, his good buddy Florian and his grandchildren. 

A small ceremony will be held in the Spring at Whyte’s cemetery in Fitzroy where he wished to be buried alongside his parents. 

“Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.

When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.

May you continue to inspire us:

To enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your beautiful face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,
And where we will never lose you again.”

~ Excerpt from the poem, “On the Death of the Beloved” by John O’Donoghue