Marblehead…….



On Sunday, October 9, 2011, James N. Craig of Marblehead, passed away at the age of 94. James was a retired, Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force, husband of the late Danielle (Barreyre) Craig, and father of John Craig.


He was born in Philadelphia, the son of the late Nelson and Lilly Craig. James graduated from GlenNor High School in Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Maryland until he joined the Army Cadets, a precursor of the United States Air Force. His first assignment was in the late 1930's as a glider test pilot for the development of military aviation. Demonstrating his skill, the Air Force assigned him to several bases including Panama during World War II where he continued to serve as a test pilot. Later, he was stationed in Germany and participated in the Berlin Airlift beginning in 1946.

It was there that James met his future bride and love of his life, Danielle. At the time, she had been working with the French Resistance. After the war, the two married and briefly moved to the United States for the birth of their son, John. Shortly thereafter, they returned to Europe where James finished the remainder of his service with an honorable discharge. The family then returned to the states where James became an air traffic controller. The Craig family made their home in Marblehead, while James worked as a controller at Logan Airport and then Nashua Control Center for the remainder of his career.


James was a kind and loving person. And while James was passionate about tennis and golf, his greatest pleasure came from being generous with others. He could always be found stringing tennis rackets for people or collecting golf balls for members of the high school golf team. He even volunteered to give driving lessons on occasion.


James Craig was lovingly married to his wife for sixty years before her passing last October. He is survived by his son John and will be dearly missed.


The funeral of James Craig will be held at Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead on Saturday, October 22, at 11:00 AM. A service will be held at Murphy's Funeral Home in Salem on Friday, October 21, from 4:00-6:00 PM. Friends and relatives are respectfully invited to attend.


Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Hospice of Greater Boston, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For online guest book or additional information, please call 781 631 8885 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.