Osgood, Craig
September 3, 1957 - August 14, 2017
Craig Willis Osgood, 59, of Tallahassee, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, August 14, 2017. He is deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his children, Emily Marie Osgood and Ryan James Osgood. 
While the family deeply mourns the passing of Craig, they are focused on celebrating the life he led, the people he inspired, and his many great accomplishments in life, chief among them, the raising of his two children. 
Born in Evanston, Illinois, Craig is survived by his mother Martha, his brothers John, and Jimmy (Joan) all of Sarasota; Bryan (Joan) of Citra, Florida; aunt Mary Overholser, niece Michelle, and nephews Matthew, Corey, and Evan.
Craig was a perennial all-star baseball player, lettering twice at Sarasota High School, where he was a team captain and named "Most Outstanding Player" (1975) by his good friend and coach Eddie Howell.
Craig played second base for the Middle Georgia College Knights, on the same team with Jody Davis, who went on to star for Craig's beloved Chicago Cubs. Craig transferred to Gainesville's Santa Fe Community College, graduating in 1977. He continued his studies at the University of Florida, where, in 1978, he and two Sarasota friends co-founded the school's Flying Disc (Ultimate Frisbee) Club.
Craig maintained a positive outlook on life despite the health challenges he faced. After a long career in sales, he worked until just a few weeks before his death for the Florida Department of Health in Tallahassee. His life-long dream for his Cubbies to win the World Series was fulfilled in 2016. Craig was also an avid UF Gators fan. He made spending time with loved ones a priority, regularly making the long drive to Sarasota to see his Mom; and he, his children, his brothers and their wives, took family trips to Chicago to watch the Cubs. In 2015, through the generosity of the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation, he and his children took a fantastic trip to Colorado. 
With his good humor, easy-going attitude, and genuine interest in others, Craig formed friendships and bonds that stood the test of time and distance. For four years, after Craig's diagnosis of cancer, two of his closest friends, Jay and Veronica Brady of Sarasota, hosted an annual Craig Osgood & Friends December party in his honor. The gathering brought friends from near and far together for good times, laughter, story-telling and heartfelt hugs. Each year Craig was deeply touched, and his spirits were greatly buoyed by the outpouring of friendship and love he received.
As deeply as Craig will be missed, the lasting impact of who he was as a man, father, son, brother, teammate, and as a caring, optimistic and lovable friend, is what will be felt, remembered and cherished forever. 
Two celebrations of Craig's life will be held: Saturday, September 30, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at The Dogwood House, 2552 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee; a Fall of 2017 gathering in Sarasota is also being planned. Share memories and photographs at https://www.facebook.com/craig.osgood.56Donations, if desired, may be made to the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation