In Memory of . . . Alexander L. Craig (1937-2014)

Alexander Craig Photo
The Rev. Alexander Lincoln Craig died on July 22, 2014, at the age of 76.  Alec was born on October 22, 1937 to Emily and Edward Craig. He graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor of Education in 1959, a Master of Education in 1961, and from Syracuse University with a Doctorate of Education in 1968. He went on to study for three years at Bangor Theological Seminary.

Rev. Craig was ordained by the Universalist Church of Sangerville, ME (now Unitarian Universalist Church of Sangerville and Dover Foxcroft) in 1990. He was first called to serve as interim minister to the neighboring churches, the Universalist Church of Sangerville, ME and the First Universalist Church of Dexter, ME. He served both churches as interim minister from 1990 to 1992, and as settled minister from 1992 to 2000. He later served the Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg, FL as co-consulting minister from 2002 to 2005 and as pastoral care minister from 2009 to 2012; and Spirit of Life Unitarian Universalists of Odessa, FL, as part time minister from 2005 to 2012. He was named Minister Emeritus of both congregations in 2012.

Committed to the denomination, Alec was a member of the Northeast District of the Unitarian Universalist Minister’s Association (consolidated with the New Hampshire Vermont District in 2008 to form the Northern New England Chapter), and served the district as Chair of Extension, and Chair of Adult Activities. He also served as Northeast District Disaster Coordinator to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee; liaison to students at Bangor Theological Seminary; and president and vice president of the West Central Cluster of UU Congregations, FL.

Alec believed that volunteering was important, and participated in many community organizations.  He served as board member and board president of the Charlotte White Center; volunteer for the Fund Raising Committee for Womancare; member of the Dexter Regional High School Civil Rights team; member of the Interfaith Alliance; member of the American Civil Liberties Union; volunteer for Habitat for Humanity; and volunteer teacher of safe driving courses for the American Association of Retired Persons. After moving to Florida, Alec worked part time for the Salvation Army.

Prior to ministry, Alec served the field of special education for twenty eight years. He worked in public school administration, college teaching, residential care, and institutional care.

Alec was gifted in pastoral care, and is described by his wife, Penny, as a “humanitarian” who “enjoyed serving people”. Penny remembers how Alec’s ministry included end-of-life pastoral care; she remarked, “He loved doing funerals, and loved visiting people in nursing homes and hospitals, holding their hands, and making sure their families felt like they were being heard.”

He is survived by his wife, Penny Craig; son, Geoffrey Craig (Sarah Flynn); daughter, Emily Kirk; granddaughters, Allora Craig, and Hannah Kirk; and brothers Duncan Craig (Cynthia McFadden) and Edward Craig (Frances Craig).

A Scottish Celebration of Life will be held in October, 2014 in Seminole, FL; a second Scottish Celebration of Life will be held in New Hampshire during the summer of 2015.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601 (www.lung.org), and/or your local hospice organization.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Penny Craig, 9053 Pinehurst Drive, Seminole, FL 33777.

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