MASARDIS – Gerald W. Craig, 92, died April 11, 2005, at the Presque Isle Nursing Home, surrounded by his family. He was born Oct. 13, 1912, in Masardis, the oldest son of Harvey T. and Fannie (Rockwell) Craig. He attended the Rockwell School in Masardis, which in later years became the Rockwell Church where he served as deacon. As a young man he worked in woods camps serving as cook’s assistant. He managed the family farm while four of his brothers served in the military during World War II. He returned to working in the woods as a bulldozer operator into the early 1960’s. Gerald then started doing carpentry work throughout the surrounding communities. He was also a cooper in a barrel mill. He enjoyed making axe handles, snowshoes, and cedar chests, up until he was in his 80’s often in the middle of the kitchen! His favorite place and time was T10-R6 in the fall. Pauline kept the lunch pail ready at all times so that the grandchildren, friends or anyone that came along could dine out with them. Perhaps Gerald was a little more fortunate than others as he lived to see the Red Sox win another World Series. He is survived by his wife, Pauline (Robinson) Craig, of Masardis, whom he married on Oct. 16, 1938. His children include: Lois Walker, of Ashland, Ella Weeks and her husband, John, of Masardis, Allen Craig and his wife, Patricia, of Ashland, Marion Dunham and her husband, Jerry, of Garfield Plantation, and Nelson Craig and his wife, Sharon, of Masardis; grandchildren, Heidi (Walker) Campbell, Leda Walker, Hazen Walker, Brien Walker, Todd Weeks, Susan (Weeks) Cameron, Theodore Craig, Faye (Craig) Coleman, Craig Dunham, Devin Dunham, Dale Dunham, and Nicholas Craig; great-grandchildren, Erin, Megan and Cora Campbell, Rachel Henderson, Garrett and Christopher Walker, Emma, Abby and Eli Walker, Ava Cameron, Collier Coleman, and Kaci Wedberg. He is also survived by one brother, Vernon Craig and his wife, Ernestine, of Masardis; and one sister, Dorothy Robinson of Masardis; sister-in-law, Lillian Craig; several cousins, nieces, and nephews, including a special cousin, “Kip” Craig. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased five brothers, Cleo, T. Roger, Lyman, Harvey, and Clyde. Gerald’s family wishes to express their most sincere gratitude to the staff of the Presque Isle Nursing Home for the loving care that was provided during his stay there. Friends and family are invited for a time of visitation 1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Advent Christian Church, Exchange Street, Ashland. A funeral service will be held at the church at 3 p.m. Saturday, with Rev. Alan Chamberlin, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in the Masardis Municipal Cemetery later in the spring. In lieu of flowers those who wish may make memorial donations to the Ashland Care Givers Association’s Northwood Manor, P.O. Box 98, 35 Walker, Ashland, ME 04732. A service of Stimson-Ouellette Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St., Ashland. For online register, please visit ouellettefuneralhome.com.
GERALD W. CRAIG
