Obituary of Thomas Michael Craig

Thomas Michael Craig, a longtime Darien resident, passed away on September 12 after a courageous battle with cancer at age 83. He and his wife of 55 years, the late Caroline Wilson Craig, left behind a legacy of five children and their spouses along with seventeen grandchildren. His faith, his family, and his Irish heritage were the sustaining forces of a life rich in meaning and experience. Tom was born and raised in Greenwich as the first child of Thomas John Craig and Catherine Martin Craig, who emigrated from Ireland. He was an avid athlete who co-captained the swimming and diving team at Greenwich High School and played football throughout his high school career graduating in 1945. Tom enlisted in the US Navy earning the rank of First Lieutenant. He went on to attend the University of Virginia on the G.I. bill, diving for the Cavaliers and graduated in 1949. He was a brother in Zeta Psi Fraternity and was named to the Thomas Jefferson Society of Alumni. He will be posthumously inducted into the Greenwich Aquatic Hall of Fame in November 2010. Professionally, Tom worked in the chemical industry. He traveled around the world due to international responsibilities. His children fondly recall his many stories of memorable experiences and people. Over the course of his career he worked for FMC, Olin Chemical, and Nitron Chemical. Later he helped start CALI, Inc. in Norwalk and was president there until his retirement. Tom was well known for his full-throated enthusiasm, particularly with the many athletic endeavors of his kids and grandkids, namely swimming, diving, football, and skiing. The family enjoyed many high spirited reunions together, especially in Vermont and at many beaches. He was a charter member of the Middlesex Club where he served as a vice president. He also served as vice president of the Fairfield County Swim League. He was a member of the Silvermine Golf Club in Norwalk and Plantation Country Club in Venice, FL. Thomas is survived by his 5 children and their families: Susan and Mike Hayden of Brookfield, WI, and their three children Craig, Lindsay, and Mikey; Tommy and Kim Craig of Fairfield and their three children, Casey, Katie, and Patrick; Peter and Tina Craig of Park Hills, KY and their four children, Christie, Peter, Corey, and Cassidy; Cappy and Artie Waters of Darien and their four children, Peter, Scotty, Caylee, and Robby; and Amy and Andy Dutter of Fairfield and their three children, Timmy, Jeff, and Kyle. He is also survived by his brother, Martin, of Scottsdale, AZ and his sisters Margaret Klumpp, of Old Greenwich and Terese Daly, of Westerly, RI, his brother-in-law, Bruce Wilson, of Sandwich, MA and numerous nieces and nephews and loving friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Jack, and his sister, Anne, who died in infancy. Friends may call from 5:30 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 17 at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road Darien. A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 18, at St. John's Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Whittingham Cancer Center, c/o Norwalk Hospital, Maple Street, Norwalk, CT 06856 or St. John's Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820