Tribute

Our beloved Glenn died peacefully in the early morning of December 27, 2016 at home in Chemainus, BC.  after a long and courageous battle with cancer, with his loving wife Esther and his dogs, Max and Honey at his side. 

Glenn was born in Orillia, Simcoe County, Ontario, February 28, 1942.He is survived by his wife Esther (Kiffiak) Craig, brothers, Robert and Darlene (Hughes) Craig, Bruce K. and Connie (Henderson)Craig, sister-in law Betty (Dunlop) Craig,  son Michael and Olive (Canes) Craig-Hughson, daughter Kathleen (Craig-Hughson)and son-in-law Michael Bousted, step children Elizabeth Cloakey and (Gordon Klassen), Joyce Cloakey, John and Vicki (Johnson) Cloakey, grandchildren Bryanne Hughson, Patrick Hughson, Ian Klassen, Alex Cloakey and Ryan Cloakey and a number of nieces and nephews: preceded  by his father, James and mother Alice (Denne) Craig, brothers, Lyle and Baby Craig.

Glenn enjoyed all sports both playing and telling stories about the events. He loved his family, especially teaching the youngsters sports, camping, fishing and hunting skills. His primary goal was to teach them fair play and an appreciation of the beautiful world we are blessed to live in. He enjoyed gardening, foraging in the woods for food and cooking.

Glenn was an avid sportsman, playing hockey from childhood on the frozen pond in the field and at various hockey rinks in the communities he lived in. His hockey career ended with “The Chemainus Rockers Senior Hockey Club” when the cancer became aggressive. Over the years Glenn enjoyed all sports baseball, badminton, curling, bowling, golfing, skiing, and hunting, but his passion was fishing. Since relocation to Vancouver Island in 2004 he spent every spring and summer exploring the rivers, lakes and ocean discovering new fishing holes.

Glenn graduated from Orillia District Collegiate & Vocational Institute and started his working life in a small bank in Ontario, but he soon realized that the outdoors was where he wanted to work. He joined CN Telegraph working as a line man, living in rail cars and traveling all over Ontario. He enjoyed climbing poles and high towers. He often remarked “that he would climb as high as there was wood or steel”. After his first marriage and the arrival of son Michael (1964) he wished to be home with his young family so took a job with General Motors in Oshawa in the parts department. He subsequently transferred to St. Therese, Quebec GM Plant to set up the parts warehouse for a new plant there. The political struggles in Quebec encouraged Glenn to move his family to British Columbia where he obtained work with Toyota setting up the parts distribution warehouse in Richmond. He posted to various positions with Toyota becoming the Central Canada Dealer Representative.  When traveling paled he bought into a dealership “Toyota City Sales and Service” in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. After a visit to Brother Bruce in Kemano, BC he relocated there to work for Alcan (1980) and enjoy the big outdoors on the north coast of British Columbia. He met his wife Esther there and they married in 1986. Glenn and Esther hiked and sailed all over the B.C. north coast enjoying the scenery, fishing and hunting.  Glenn retired in 2004 and moved to Chemainus where they built their retirement home and developed the acreage.  Glenn was a member of:  the volunteer Fire Department , Wetaskiwin, Alberta,  Royal Canadian Legion, Kemano Bay Yacht Club, Kemano Rod & Gun Club, Kemano Ball Club (Daffodils), Kemano Hockey Club and Chemainus Rockers Senior Hockey Club. He spent many hours donating his time and skills to community service with the Legion.

Glenn will be remembered for his love of family, storytelling, adventure and fair play in sports.  The Craig Family would like to give special thanks to Dr. P. Manhas and the Community Home Care Nurses for their devoted care and support during his final months.

A Memorial Service honoring Glenn will be held Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 1:30 PM in Chemainus United Church with a Social Tea to follow in the Church Hall. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to “B.C. Cancer Research” or Chemainus United Church.