Celebrating the life of
Nicholas J. Craig
July 25, 1920 - April 20, 2013
The family of Nicholas J Craig are saddened to announce his death in Savannah on April 20, 2013.
Whether playing a round at Wilson Lake Country Club, Hilton Head, Moss Creek, the Landings or the Savannah Golf Club, over the past 60 years, Nick always enjoyed the camaraderie, challenge, and opportunity for self-improvement. His best golf was in his 70's and was modest about shooting his age.
Despite his physical address, he was always a "Mainer". Born on July 25, 1920, in Presque Isle, Maine, the son of Grace and Russell Craig, he lived in Pittsfield, Maine and graduated from Maine Central Institute.
He was selected by the US Maritime Commission for cadet training in US Merchant Marine. He was a member of the first graduating class of 1942. At the end of WWII, he was a Master Mariner with AGWI Lines. During the war years as a Liberty Ship Captain, he travelled the world, experiencing many wonderful things to remember and some tragic ones to forget. His stories of his life on the sea were enjoyed by many.
After electing to leave the Merchant Maine, he began his entrepreneurial pursuits, in Wilton Maine, where his businesses under the Craig Inc. umbrella included: Wilton Hardware, Wilton and Farmington Laundry Centers and Franklin Cable TV Co. After moving to Hilton Head, Nick was the co-owner of the Craig Building. In 1986, he sold his business interests and moved to Savannah. Too busy to think about full retirement, Nick continued to keep physically and mentally active around his home, golfing on foreign courses, and enjoying maritime pursuits whenever possible.
He was undaunted by technology and used it to pursue his favourite pastimes. Never intimidated by his physical age or lack of experience, he met each new event with gusto. Whether comparing numbers of his golf scores, or all things financial, he was always a stickler for details and amelioration.
Nick was pre-deceased by his first wife, Elinor Jagd-Neilsen, Aarhus, Denmark, and his second wife, Lalla Jemison; his siblings Jane, Alice, and Russie.
He is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Richardson, Wellington, Florida, Debby Duncan Cross, Glen Margaret, Nova Scotia, granddaughter Sophie Todd Larsen, Truro, Nova Scotia, grandson Bentley Cross, Toronto, Ontario, brother Brain, Lake Wales, Florida, nieces, and nephews. He is also survived by his step-children, Tim Patty Jemison, Myrtle Beach, S. C, Terry Marilyn Jemison, Alexandria, Va. and Robin Chesnie, Newport Beach, California and several step- grandchildren.
Nick was a member of the Savannah Country Club, Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy Alumni, Society of Seniors, The National Maritime Historical Society, and a Lifetime Donor for Project Liberty Ship.
Cremation has taken place; a family memorial service will take place this summer. Friends who wish to make a donation to the US Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Foundation in Nick's memory can contact: gifts@usmma.edu or by sending a check to the following address and writing "In Memory of Nicholas J. Craig" on the memo line: RADM James A. Helis, Superintendent, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, 300 Steamboat Road, Wiley Hall, Kings Point, NY 11024 or enjoy in his memory, a perfect moment on a green or by the sea.
My deepest condolences to the Craig family for their loss. Nick was a dear friend classmate and shipmate.We were cadets on the T.E.L. Oriente and we enjoyed a great friendship. I was deeply saddened to hear of his demise just a few days ago. My heart goes out to his family. Capt. Aginso Valentino 8/30/13
- Capt. Aginso Valentino, Flemington, NJ
Please accept my condolences. Nick left his mark on the Town of Wilton. I will keep his family in my thoughts and prayers, especially Debby and Jennifer. Take care and God bless you.
- John Backus, East Wilton, ME
Dear Deb & Jennifer, So sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Love, Lee & Margot
- Lee Hodgkins, Scarborough, ME
Mr. Craig was our friend and neighbor since 2001. He was a kind person who once surprised us with homemade blueberry muffins. My favorite memory of him is the time he dug holes all over his yard searching for a leak in his sprinkler system. My cat accompanied him from hole to hole and at one point they just stopped, he leaning on his shovel, and the cat sitting down on the other side of the hole, and stared at each other. It would have made a great photo. We will miss you, Mr. Craig. Patti, Jerry, Caroline, and Victoria Peebles
- Patti Peebles, Savannah, GA
Nick was one in many millions. A mite independent to his credit, always great company and truly registered here as a great friend. Memories are everlasting but he will bs sorely missed.
- Nick & Penny Farley, Savannah, GA
Debbie and Jennifer, I am sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. I pay homage to him for 6 months each year as I reside on his former land, on a road named for your family, on Wilson Lake in Wilton. I remember so many things about our time growing up together, the tap on the refrigerator at your home above Wilton Hardware, the parties at your camp on the lake, vodka on the rocks with Lala, Rod McKuen poetry, the time Nick and Lala came home from an evening out to find me wearing his clothing. I had fallen been pushed into the lake and needed a dry change. My love to you both. -Jeff
- Jeff Mitchell, Wilton, ME
I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family. I hope a passage at Isaiah 28:5 will give you comfort during this difficult time. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
- Anissa Mixon, , GA
My deepest condolences to the Craig family for their loss. Nick was a dear friend classmate and shipmate.We were cadets on the T.E.L. Oriente and we enjoyed a great friendship. I was deeply saddened to hear of his demise just a few days ago. My heart goes out to his family. Capt. Aginso Valentino 8/30/13
- Capt. Aginso Valentino, Flemington, NJ
Please accept my condolences. Nick left his mark on the Town of Wilton. I will keep his family in my thoughts and prayers, especially Debby and Jennifer. Take care and God bless you.
- John Backus, East Wilton, ME
Dear Deb & Jennifer, So sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Love, Lee & Margot
- Lee Hodgkins, Scarborough, ME
Mr. Craig was our friend and neighbor since 2001. He was a kind person who once surprised us with homemade blueberry muffins. My favorite memory of him is the time he dug holes all over his yard searching for a leak in his sprinkler system. My cat accompanied him from hole to hole and at one point they just stopped, he leaning on his shovel, and the cat sitting down on the other side of the hole, and stared at each other. It would have made a great photo. We will miss you, Mr. Craig. Patti, Jerry, Caroline, and Victoria Peebles
- Patti Peebles, Savannah, GA
Nick was one in many millions. A mite independent to his credit, always great company and truly registered here as a great friend. Memories are everlasting but he will bs sorely missed.
- Nick & Penny Farley, Savannah, GA
Debbie and Jennifer, I am sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. I pay homage to him for 6 months each year as I reside on his former land, on a road named for your family, on Wilson Lake in Wilton. I remember so many things about our time growing up together, the tap on the refrigerator at your home above Wilton Hardware, the parties at your camp on the lake, vodka on the rocks with Lala, Rod McKuen poetry, the time Nick and Lala came home from an evening out to find me wearing his clothing. I had fallen been pushed into the lake and needed a dry change. My love to you both. -Jeff
- Jeff Mitchell, Wilton, ME
I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the family. I hope a passage at Isaiah 28:5 will give you comfort during this difficult time. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
- Anissa Mixon, , GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
