Obituary of David Craig

March 1, 1927 – Nordegg, Alberta

September 13, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

David Craig of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024, at the age of 97 years.

David Craig (also known as David Craig III) was born on March 1, 1927, in the coal mining town of Nordegg, AB.

His father, David Craig Jr., emigrated from Broxburn, Scotland, in 1911 with his brothers, sister, and parents, Agnes and David Craig Sr. They journeyed first to Fernie, BC, and eventually settled in Nordegg to work in the mine.

Sadie Hilman, his mother, came to Nordegg from her family farm at Sylvan Lake, AB. Working in the boarding house, she met David Craig Jr. They married and had four children, Betty, David, Mary Ann, and Sharon.

Music was an important part of David’s life. During his high school years, he played the alto saxophone and piano in a seven-piece band called the Brazeau Bobcats. The band played for dances in Nordegg, Rocky Mountain House, AB, Eckville, AB, and Sylvan Lake, AB. Sports were also an essential factor throughout his life. As a youth, he loved playing left wing for the Nordegg Maple Leafs hockey team. This commitment to sports continued throughout his life as he participated in golf, skiing, running, and the daily exercise classes he attended at his senior residence.

He joined the army at seventeen years old in 1944 and trained at Wetaskiwin, AB, and Curry Barracks in Calgary, AB. After World War II ended, he finished Grade twelve in Calgary while boarding with a friend near Stampede Park. David then attended the University of Alberta and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. During his final year of study, he met Lorraine Hadley at the campus skating rink in Edmonton, AB. They were married in Lorraine’s northern hometown of McLennan, AB, on November 25, 1950. David and Lorraine were married close to 73 years before she passed away on November 3, 2023.

David’s first job was with the Canadian government, surveying the Trans-Canada highway from Banff, AB, to Field, BC. In 1952, he was hired by Sun Oil Company as a petroleum trainee, and in 1956, was transferred to Virden, MB, as a field engineer. He worked in the Estevan, SK, area before being transferred to Sun Oil’s Calgary office. In 1962, he worked as a gas plant pipeline engineer in charge of installing a gas line from Lac la Biche, AB, to Fort McMurray, AB. He left Sun Oil in 1979 to eventually set up his own oil and gas company called Classic Resources.

David and Lorraine found joy and balance in their long life together. They had two daughters, Colleen Alice and Jane Lee, born in Virden, MB, and Calgary, AB. The family eventually settled into the northwest community of University Heights, where they formed many treasured memories and friendships. David was a loving father who worked hard in various business adventures but was also able to enjoy life to the fullest with his family. The Craigs enjoyed family vacations which included Disneyland, Expo 67 in Montreal, QC, Hawaii, USA, and Shuswap Lake, BC, to visit family.

Granddaughters Lyndsey and Lauren were a great source of pride and enjoyment in David’s life. David and Lorraine attended many of their granddaughters’ dance galas, as well as travelled with them to Hawaii, Nordegg, and the annual summer vacation to Sandpoint, Idaho, USA. David loved visits from his granddaughters’ miniature schnauzers, Tramp and Tinker Bell.

David is survived by his two daughters, Colleen Craig (Lynne Viola) and Jane Welch (Michael). He is also survived by his two granddaughters, Lyndsey Welch (Mark Borrelli) and Lauren Paxton (Kyle); sisters, Mary Ann Milobar and Sharon Hoeght; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his loving wife Lorraine of 73 years, his parents, David and Sadie Craig; his sister Betty Thomas, and brothers-in-law, Gordon (Jeep) Thomas, Jim Hoeght, and Dr. Tony Milobar.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Craig’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

We offer our sincere thanks to the entire staff of Staywell Manor Village and Beyond Neighbours Home Health.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with David’s family here.

In living memory of David Craig, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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