LAS VEGAS and BANGOR – Craig Eliot Lionel passed away Jan. 9, 2011, in Las Vegas, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born March 8, 1957, in New York City, Craig grew up in Bangor. After graduating from Hebron Academy he attended the University of Maine and Eastern Maine Vocational Technical Institute. He was in the Air National Guard from 1976 to 1978 and then joined the Navy, serving from 1980 to 1985 as a nuclear power electrician on the USS Carl Vinson and USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carriers. After leaving the Navy, Craig worked as a construction electrician in Las Vegas and around the country before settling down in Las Vegas, in 2005. He was a proud member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers locals 357 in Las Vegas and 1253 in Maine, and was a fierce supporter of his union brothers and sisters, as well as an active participant in local and national Democratic politics. Craig enjoyed karaoke, fishing and chatting about politics with his buddies. Craig is survived by his mother, Marcia Baker of Fort Pierce, Fla.; father, Frank Lionel of Reno, Nev.; brothers, Steven Lionel of Nashua, N.H., Kevin Baker of Bangor, Brian Penick of Coral Springs, Fla., and Bruce Lionel of Rockville Center, N.Y.; sister, Valerie Acklin of Reno, Nev.; aunt, Lore Parker of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; nephews, Thomas Lionel of Fort Pierce, Fla., and Casey Acklin of Reno, Nev.; and nieces, Tara Penick of Coral Springs, Fla., and Danielle Lionel of Brighton, Mass. Craig brightened the life of all who knew him and he will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Jan. 30 at IBEW Local 357 Union Hall, Las Vegas. Contributions may be made in his memory to IBEW Local 1253 50/50 Fund, 176 Main St., Fairfield, ME 04937.
CRAIG ELIOT LIONEL
