BANGOR – Harley Alfred Craig, 71, died peacefully June 8, 2005, at a Bangor hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 10, 1934, in Mars Hill, the son of Vincent Alfred and Thelma Avis (Thomas) Craig. Harley graduated from Hampden Academy and from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1963. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Harley was a man of faith in Jesus Christ, a special son, a wonderful husband, and a caring father and grandfather. He attended the Charleston Pentecostal Church where he enjoyed worshipping and playing his gospel trombone. He also enjoyed the music ministry with the Souls Harbor television program and recently at the Maine Veterans Home. Harley served the people of the greater Bangor community known as “Hal the Handy Man” completing home improvements and repairs, landscaping and piano tuning. Harley had many wonderful memories of playing in the church softball league as a pitcher, and then contributing as a coach. For relaxation, he enjoyed fishing and watching sports, especially the Red Sox. In addition to his mother he is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Elinor Craig; five children, the Rev. Gary S. Craig and wife, Bonny, of Cornelius, N.C., Dr. Paul A. Craig and wife, Elsa, of Rochester, N.Y., Kathryn Craig Ward and husband, Allyn, of Pueblo West, Colo., Harley Robert Craig and wife, Sharon, of Tulsa, Okla., Janet Craig Butland and husband, Chris, of Saco; brothers and sisters, Eva McKinnon and husband Jim, of Waycross, Ga., Marian Craig, of Denver Colo., the Rev. Manford Craig and wife, Jeannette, of Leavenworth, Kan., Roseanne Benner and husband, the Rev. Warren, of Hallowell, Lynne Craig, of Everett, Wash.; 16 grandchildren, Brianna, Mikayla, Julia, Tim, Will, Michael, Emily, Sarah, Ethan, Peter, Becca, Rachel, James, Ben-Harley, Stephen, Erin, and many more relatives and friends. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2-5 p.m., Sun, June 12, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Monday, June 13, at Glad Tidings Church, 1033 Broadway, Bangor, with the Rev. Ronnie Libby, pastor of Souls Harbor Ministry, officiating along with the Rev. Matthew Ward, pastor of the Charleston Pentecostal Church, the Rev. Gary S. Craig, the Rev. Manford Craig, and the Rev. Vinal Thomas. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the Fellowship Hall following the service. Interment will be at Harts Corner Cemetery, Holden. Those who wish to remember Harley in a special way may make gifts to Souls Harbor Ministry, P.O. Box 155, Charleston, ME 04422. <
HARLEY A. CRAIG
