Stephen J. Craven

Stephen J. Craven, 67, of Rockport, MA passed away at his home on Monday, August 19, 2013 after a long battle with cancer. He was the husband of Mary L. Craven. Born in Boston on September 29, 1945 to the late Martin and Carol Craven. He graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in 1967 and PhD in 1975. Stephen spent most of his career as a teacher and administrator of the fine arts program at the East Syracuse Minoa school district in Central New York where his students dubbed him "the Doc". He also helped coordinate many student art programs in the region including the CNY Scholastic Art Awards and Feats of Clay. He and Mary often summered in Rockport and then retired to Rockport where he was an artist member of the North Shore Art Association. In addition to creating and collecting art, "the Doc" enjoyed wood-working and gardening. He also loved simply having beer with friends and watching his Syracuse Orangemen compete in various sports. Stephen is survived by his loving wife Mary Craven of 42 years, his daughter Leigh and her husband, Preston, of Freetown; and his son Sloan and his wife, Rebecca, of Somerville. His is also survived by his brother Mark and his partner Connie Lehr of Reading, as well as many, many good friends. He's going to be greatly missed for his love, humor, and vast knowledge of just about everything that isn't digital. His funeral service will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA on Friday, August 23rd at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend. A visiting hour will precede the funeral service on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. For online condolences, please visit greelyfuneralhome.com.