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Craig W. Stephens
October 08, 1942 - February 14, 2015
Full Name: Craig W. Stephens
Date of Birth: October 08, 1942
Date of Death: February 14, 2015
Country of Birth: United States
Place of Death: Santa Rosa, CA
Biography: Craig W. Stephens was a man of peace. He was continually evolving, always striving towards living a life of kindness, respect, responsibility, and love. In this he succeeded greatly, inspiring many others by his example.
Craig crammed a lot of living into his 72 years, and passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2015.
He was raised in the small Vermont town of Springfield. From an early age, Craig loved to work with his Dad, learning how fix most anything . From his Mom he learned compassion, forgiveness, sharing and love. Craig’s father died when Craig was fifteen – a loss with profound impact – but his early love of family and respect for hard work showed in Craig’s later resiliency, resourcefulness and respect for life.
Craig was multi-talented and his life included many occupations and adventures. He was a writer, photographer, tennis player, and a lover of classical music and good books. He was deeply devoted to his friends and family, and also to social causes relating to peace and equality.
Craig' final career in promoting recreational tennis was perhaps most meaningful to him. He served as United States Tennis Association (USTA) Director of Community Tennis in Northern California from 1991-2007. Craig was beloved and deeply respected among USTA staff, volunteers, and the entire grassroots tennis community for his devotion to his work, his deep knowledge of tennis, and his desire to empower those around him. He created an atmosphere of positive energy, enabling and inspiring his staff to truly “grow the game”. The tennis world will miss him greatly.
Craig’s last years were devoted to lovingly supporting his wife Cynthia and child Lia, sharing with them the fruits of the wisdom he had gleaned from his life. Although Craig had to deal with excessive physical pain, he remained a shining light, full of appreciation and gratitude for the simple joys and richness of life.
Craig greatly loved and also leaves behind his children, Linda, Douglas, and Nicole ; his grandchildren Alex and Chelsea (husband Kevin); his great grandchildren Jack and Sawyer; Linda Rosa Diaz, mother of Doug, Nicole, and Jimmy; his siblings Bob, Jeff and Janet and his very special nieces. He was preceeded in death by his son Jimmy.
Craig considered himself to be a world citizen and felt a social responsibility and deep compassion for the suffering of others. He expressed this compassion in his daily life, through his kind, generous, nurturing, yet playful spirit, which infused all of his interactions.
Those of us who knew Craig consider ourselves blessed by having known him and will carry him always in our hearts.
Thank you for viewing this site. Please be sure to watch the attached videos in the Media Gallery and to leave a message or story about your relationship with Craig.
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Hugh Putnam
Craig and I were friends in High School even though he came from South School.
I will miss him at the next reunion.
Hugh
David B. Russell
This is a truly beautiful appreciation. Craig was a lucky man to have you.
Dave Russell
South School, Class of ‘54
781-799-3085
Arthur (Lenny) Leonard Lavalette
How sad to learn of the passing of Craig. As children living near South School we enjoyed all that life had to offer. Whether it was class in elementary school or the many, many things we did in and around the area outside of school we made the best of every effort to have fun. There was nothing aout life at that time that wasn't worth treasuring. Carig was bright, inquisitive and resourceful. His family was supportive and his friends loyal. One of the down sides of growing up and moving away is that you lose contact with people who helped you form your own goals, aspirations and lifelong systems - Criag was that kind of person for me.
Francis "Dick" Benton
Chaig will be miss by many in the Class of 1960 He was a great Classmate and always willing to help others. You could always pick out Craig walking to and from somewhere as he always had that special bounce or whatever it was to his walk. He also always had his hair combed in a DA like ELvis. He will be missed at our future Reunions but will not be forgotten. Rest in Peace my friend. Dick Benton
Vicki Prouty (Siliski)
Craig and I grew up in the same neighborhood. His family lived on Furnace Street and mine on Merrill Street. We attended South School together thru grades 1-6. Our little neighborhood had lots of kids and we all played together. We didn't have cell phones, i-pads or online games, but we always managed to have lots of fun making up our own games. Then on to High School and the Class of 1960. It makes me sad that we lost contact over the years, but yet, at reunions got to catch up on times past. Craig was a special guy who always had a smile on his face a kind word for all. He will be missed. Rest in peace, my friend.
Stuart Johnston
Craig was a close friend during the high school years. I remember the boots he wore almost daily (I was jealous as my parents wouldn't let me have any). I saw him at two of our reunions and noted that he hadn't changed a bit other than his hair was a different color.
Safe travels, my friend. God bless..
Stu
Philip Cannistraci
Craig and I were good friends throughout high school. We spent a lot of time together at school, at the community house playing pool, ping pong, etc., and attending other special events. One time when I was about 19, I came back to Springfield from N.Y.C. and Craig drove me, his brother Bob, and one other (non-classmate) to Whitehall, N.Y. and we had an accident on our return trip. We slid on the snow, knocked down 6 or 7 highway posts and tumbled down an embankment. We survived with only back problems. Other than that event, my memories of Craig are pleasant ones. Craig was an usher in our wedding in 1965 (50 years anniversary party this year) in Cranston, R.I. I thank God for knowing Craig. May the Lord continue to comfort his family and relatives.
Phil Cannistraci
Donna Stocker (Gerety)
Craig, dear Craig. What can I say different about him that you have not already said. Yes he was kind, caring, and very thoughtful. But to me he was much more. We dated seriously for quite a while, living and working in Springfield until we both moved away. He wrote poems for me and many years later I submitted one for publication and it was. He bought me a Easter outfit once complete with flowers and a beautiful floppy hat from a hat shop. We laughed, we cried and we treasured our time together. He had given me his father's class ring and at our 50th reunion I gave it back to him. It was a blessing to have known him and to share a special part of his life. My prayers go out to his family. Love Donna
Arthur (Lenny) Leonard Lavalette
We live just a short distance from each other and were in the same classes and reading groups throughout our elementary years. When not in school we spent most of our time together having a grand time growing up and discovering new things each and every day. Craig was bright, talented and lots of fun to be with no matter what we were doing. His beautiful Irish setter could smile on demend and his mother grew the most delicious raspberries you ever tasted. I fondly remember how he was ahead of me in the maturity and maturing department. It was his idea that we hang around helping our teacher clean up after the last day of fifth grade. When we were done and on the way out of school he secretly unlocked one of the few windows that could be eneterd from the outside. A day or so later after all the teachers and others who worked there left, we crawled in through that window and rifled the waste baskets from Mrs. Porter's fifth grade classroom. Then we found what he had been searching for and the reason he had unlocked the window. We read the booklet enthusiastically learning lots. You see, the booklet's title was "Very Personally Yours" and it descibed the maturation process of the girls our age. Obviously, we were devils.