Obituary: Duncan Robert Craig, 86, longtime resident of Guilford

Obituary courtesy of Guilford Funeral Home:

Duncan Robert Craig, 86, longtime resident of Guilford and our beacon, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 24, 2023.

Duncan was born at home in Hamden, CT, on October 9, 1936 to James and Edith (Urquhardt) Craig. He grew up in Hamden where he spent his youth exploring the outdoors, trapping and fishing. He graduated from Hamden High School where he also played hockey. He continued his education at Southern Connecticut State College where he met the love of his life, Sue Hazard, who later became his devoted wife. While at Southern, he received his BS in education, which led him to a 12 year teaching position at Guilford Junior High School. Here, he taught science and immediately fell in love with the small town. He made the easy decision to build a home and idyllic life in this community.

Duncan received his Master’s degree in education and sixth-year certificate at the University of Connecticut. His passion for educating children led him to pack up his young family in two cars to drive half way across the country to attend the University of Wisconsin during the summer of 1969 to further his studies.

In 1970 he became the first principal of Elisabeth C. Adams Middle School in Guilford, where he enjoyed working with his brilliant staff who would become his friends. He enriched the lives of countless Guilford youth for 23 more years until his retirement in 1993. In addition to being the quintessential educator, he also juggled multiple part-time jobs. However, the job he cherished most was being a father to his “six pack” of children and grandfather to a dozen. Nothing pleased him more than to spend time at his beloved home with his family. He mastered those roles exceptionally well with his unwavering commitment to them and their many endeavors, until his illnesses robbed him of that joy. In better days, he and Sue also enjoyed playing golf, walking around the Guilford green and down to the town docks. They traveled to watch horse racing, to the casino and would love to hunker down and watch the Boston Red Sox and UCONN Huskies.

In addition to his devoted wife, Joyce (Sue) of nearly 66 years, Duncan is survived by his children; Robert Craig, David (Karen) Craig, Susan Makula, Sharon (Jay) Criscuolo, Melissa Kalfus, and Melynda (Roe) Granger. He is also survived by his 12 adoring grandchildren who affectionately called him En-En; Duncan (Alyssa), Alexandra, Jon (Ellen), Noah, Tyler, Hannah, Cami, Bryce, Roby (Caitlin), Jack (Anna), Emma and Lila. We know his light will continue to guide us and generations to come. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Marian Hazard, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his mother-in-law Stacia, his sister Peggy and her husband Bob, his sister-in-law Audrey and her husband Duke, his brother-in-law Mike, and a myriad of treasured pets.

The family wishes to thank Duncan’s wonderful doctors, Guilford EMTs, the compassionate staff at Masonicare and The Madison House, his many caregivers, and his warm-hearted Robin Lane neighbors, both past and present.

Friends are invited to calling hours on Monday, October 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 112 Church Street, Guilford. The funeral service will be Tuesday, October 3 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 122 Broad Street, Guilford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 http://www.michaeljfox.org or the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd, Suite # 4B Southington, CT 06489; https://www.alz.org/ct