John Edward Craighead

John Edward Craighead

Age: 86 • Nantucket, MA, and Vero Beach, FL

John Edward Craighead, MD, noted physician and pathologist of Nantucket, MA, and Vero Beach, FL, died peacefully at his home in Vero Beach on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, surrounded by family. He was 86.

Dr. Craighead's work in virology introduced the concept of a viral etiology for Type 1 diabetes mellitus. His pioneering clinical studies first identified cytomegalovirus as a major infectious complication of organ transplantation. Dr. Craighead's research in the later years of his professional career focused on the diseases of the lung resulting from occupational exposures to inorganic dusts, particularly asbestos.

Dr. Craighead's early years were spent in the coal mining districts of Southeastern Pennsylvania. He relocated to Utah where he obtained degrees in botany and medicine. After a period of training at Washington University in St. Louis, he moved to the National Institutes of Health where he undertook studies in respiratory disease epidemiology before moving to the Canal Zone to work in tropical virology at the Middle America Research Unit, Public Health Service. In 1960, Dr. Craighead joined the staff of the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston to undertake training in pathology. He then joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School. In 1968, Dr. Craighead moved to the University of Vermont, College of Medicine where he became Chairman of the Department of Pathology, a position he held until 1991.

Dr. Craighead's distinguished research career resulted in numerous published scientific reports in the medical literature and three books, the latest of which was entitled "The Pathology and Pathogenesis of Human Viral Disease". He has been the recipient of numerous scientific awards and lectureships.

Dr. Craighead was an avid botanist and horticulturist who traveled extensively to study flora worldwide.

Dr. Craighead is survived by his beloved wife, Christina, a sister, Madeleine M. Sorensen, of North Oaks, MN, two children by a previous marriage, Susan J. Craighead of Seattle, WA, and Sarah E. Bunning of Essex Junction, three grandchildren, seven stepchildren and eleven grandchildren he shared with Christina.

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Nantucket, MA or VNA Hospice, Vero Beach, FL

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