Obituary

Donald B. Craft passed away on July 27, 2024 at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care at Dartmouth Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, NH, surrounded by his five loving children and stepson.

Don was born on January 19, 1935, in White Plains, NY and spent his childhood there and in New Rochelle, NY. Growing up during the Great Depression, Don’s early childhood was difficult, but helped to shape his determined spirit and strong will. Don was an incredibly hard worker and a self-made man. He put himself through college at New York University, taking classes at night, and launched what became a remarkable career that was fueled by great passion for his work.

Don started his career in Washington, DC at the Technical Material Corporation as the Director of Marketing. He then moved to New Haven, CT and joined Wyatt Incorporated where he worked as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for 33 years. Don truly loved what he did and proudly continued to work until he was nearly 80 years old. During the second chapter of his career, Don served as Director of Mergers and Acquisitions and Director of Industry and Legislative Affairs for Star Gas Partners, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Development in the Energy Lending Department at Citizens Bank, Director of Business Development at Global Partners, and last as Director of Marketing Development at Gulf Oil.

To say that Don was an active member of the oilheat industry is an understatement. He was a president and chairman of the New England Fuel Institute (NEFI) and a member of the NEFI Education Foundation. He was also a president of the Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association, and a founding board member of the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA). Don also served as a member of the Boards of Directors of the National Association of Oilheat Research and Education (NAORE), the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA), the Massachusetts Oil Heat Council, the Oil Heat Institute of Rhode Island, the New Jersey Fuel Merchants Association, and the Oil Heat Institute of Long Island. Additionally, Don was a member of the Heating Oil Committees of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America, the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association, and the Empire State Petroleum Association. Finally, Don was a committee member serving the U.S. Departments of Energy and the Interior as well as the Connecticut State Energy Office. An avid reader and lifelong learner, Don served on the Board of Trustees of the Scranton Library in Madison, CT after his retirement.

Don received many awards over his career including the Petroleum Marketers Association of America’s (PMAA) Oilman of the Year Award, the industry’s highest, and three PMAA Distinguished Service Awards. He was also awarded the Legend of Oil Heat Award, the Charles H. Burkhardt Award, and the Distinguished Achievement Award from NEFI. Don was also recognized as the Connecticut Oilman of the Year and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from CEMA. More important than all of these accolades, however, were the relationships that Don cultivated with friends and colleagues from across the oilheat industry.

Don’s love of his work was matched by his love for his family. Don had five children, two stepchildren who were as beloved as his own children, and 12 grandchildren, each and every one of whom he was proud beyond measure. In 1988, he met and married the love of his life, Ellen Croft Craft, to whom he was married until her death in 2022. Don moved to The Village in White River Junction, VT two years ago to be closer to his son and “pal,” Kinson, who followed his footsteps in the energy industry, making Don immensely proud. Always curious, Don found great joy in learning about the varied life experiences of his fellow residents at The Village. He also found comfort and companionship among the kind and devoted staff, many of whom joined his family at his bedside in the final days of his life. Prior to The Village, Don lived in many wonderful homes in the greater New Haven area, most recently in Madison but also in Essex, Old Lyme, Guilford, Stony Creek, New Haven and Woodbridge, where he and his first wife, Barbara Blanchard, raised their family. Don also owned a home on Okemo Mountain in Ludlow, VT where many of the family’s cherished memories took place.

Don was one of kind. He left his mark on everything he did and built relationships with everyone he met. He was an early riser and a road warrior who worked hard and played hard, was young at heart, and hated wasted time. He had unforgettable eyebrows that were fashioned after his idol Winston Churchill, and never wavered over the decades from his uniform of navy Izod polos, khaki shorts/ pants, loafers and his signature tortoise glasses. He was the definition of a neat freak, a worshiper of the sun, a devoted consumer of the news, and a copious note taker. He prized efficiency and independence, was short on patience, and did not tolerate anyone being late. His favorite time of day was happy hour, and he was exceptional at keeping everyone’s glass full and orchestrating lively conversations about politics and world events. Don loved brie cheese, good wine, pancakes smothered in butter and syrup, New Haven pizza, reading the newspapers by the fire, Frank Sinatra, antique cars, boats, and his vast collection of books. Don’s family will miss his infectious smile and optimism, the strident way he answered the phone, his Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing, his response to our threats of trimming his eyebrows in his sleep, and how he always showed up when it was important.

Don is preceded in death by his wife, Ellen, and his son in law, Ed Finn. He is survived by his son, Kinson Craft (Keri) of Hanover, NH, his daughters Joan Curtis (Scott) of Ketchum, ID, Lisa Dirksmeier (Brian) of Hailey, ID, Courtney Finn of Cohasset, MA and Leslie McGuire (John) of Ridgefield, CT, his stepson Jay Tweed of Madison, CT, his stepdaughter Jennifer Newbury of Larkspur, CA, and his grandchildren, Griffin and Sage Curtis, Huck and Ridge Dirksmeier, Carly and Riley Craft, Piper and Logan Finn, Jack and Abby McGuire, and Ryan and Emily Newbury.

A private family service will be held at Don’s grave in Essex, CT, and a celebration of life will be planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, we ask you to join us in a toast to “The Donald, the captain of The Varsity.” Donations in Don’s name to the Jack Bryne Center or the Dartmouth Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, where he received exceptionally compassionate care, are also welcome.