MESA, Ariz., and HAMPDEN Staff Sgt. Craig T. McBean, 32, passed away Oct. 18, 2007, in Mesa, Ariz. Craig was the beloved and cherished son of Kristina (Paterson) and Thomas McBean of Griffin Avenue, Hampden. He was born Sept. 25, 1975, in Bangor. He was a student of Hampden schools and graduated from Hampden Academy with honors in 1994. Craig had many gifts and talents. He excelled in sports. At age 10, 11, and 12, he was the State of Maine National Junior Olympic long jump champion and represented the state at the National Junior Olympics in Lincoln, Neb., in 1985. At Hamp-den, he excelled in soccer, basketball and baseball. Craig was on the state of Maine honorable mention baseball team in 1990 and 1991, and was the most valuable player his Junior year in 1993. Craig attended the University of Maine – Presque Isle and played basketball until an injury ended his collegiate basketball career. Craig continued to play softball, coach, referee and umpire until the present. He was a member of softball teams, which qualified and played at the state and national level. Craig was a former member of the 101 Refueling Division of the Maine Air National Guard and a current member of the Arizona Air National Guard, Phoenix. During his five years in the Arizona guard, he gained honors as the distinguished graduate of Airman Leadership School, three-time airman of the quarter recipient and in 2005, was the National Guard Airman of the Year. Craig was a compassionate, introspective man. He worked in the Tempe, Ariz., school district for five years with special education high school students. At the time of his death, he was the transitional technician for the Special Education department at McClintock High School. He was an education student at Arizona State University. Craig is survived by his parents; his sister, Natalie Four-nier and her husband, Adam Fournier; his nephew, Derek, all of Bangor; his grandmother, Natalie Paterson of Rumford; Aunt Kim Manoush and John of Raymond; Aunt Nikki Lyden and James of Westbrook; Uncle Edward Paterson of Rumford; Uncle Kip Paterson and Lisa of Putnam, Conn.; cousins, Chelsea, McKenzie and Delaney Paterson of Rumford and Quincey Lyden of Westbrook. He leaves his loyal canine companion, Kobe of Mesa, Ariz. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Ray and Fay McBean and Edward J. Pater-son; and his uncle, John Mc-Bean, all of Rumford. Craig lost a long and deep struggle within himself. He had many friends in Maine and Arizona, who loved him and helped him. Thank you to all who care. Family and friends may visit 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor, where a celebration of Craig’s life will be held 6:30 p.m. with a time of continued fellowship after. There will also be a memorial service in Craig’s memory at McClintock High School, Mesa, Ariz. Graveside services will be arranged at a later date in the family plot at Farrington Morton Cemetery, Mexico. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations are made to the Craig Thomas McBean Scholarship Fund, Superintendent of Schools, MSAD No. 22, 24 Main Road North, Hampden, ME 04444. Condolences to his family may also be shared at www.kileyfuneralhome.com
STAFF SGT. CRAIG THOMAS MCBEAN
