John F. Craig Jr.

Craig, John F., Jr.
July 14, 1925 - Sep. 1, 2012
John F. Craig, Jr., formerly of Livingston and Basking Ridge, NJ, passed away at his home in Florida on September 1, 2012. He leaves his beloved wife of 63 years, the former Mary Elisabeth King, a son, John "Chip" Craig of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, a daughter Cynthia Craig of Longboat Key, Florida (formerly of Livingston, NJ), a son William H. Craig of Chatham, New Jersey, five grandchildren and one great grandchild. He battled cancer with courage and grace for six years.
Mr. Craig graduated from Montclair High School in 1943 and entered Cornell University. He was immediately drafted into the United States Army. He served in combat with the 86th Infantry Division ("Blackhawks") fighting in France, Germany, and Austria. He was in Austria when V.E. day was declared in April, 1945, and joyfully misunderstood that his war was over. When returned to the United States, he was transported by train to San Francisco where he boarded a ship transporting troops in preparation for the invasion of Japan. He was aboard ship in the Pacific when Japan surrendered in August, 1945, and the U.S. Air force flew over the convoy in the formation: "V.J". He always said that was the second happiest day of his life (the first being when he married Mary King.) Again he joyfully assumed that he would be going home, but instead was sent with his Division to the Philippines for nine months. He was finally discharged on April 5, 1946. He earned the Combat Infantry Badge, the American Campaign Medal, the Eame Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Bronze Star.
He re-entered Cornell University and graduated with an engineering degree in 1950. He pursued a career in engineering, last with Crane Co., before retiring in 1983. His first grandson was born two weeks after his retirement. Thereafter, he exuberantly assumed the role of "Poppy", a role he cherished until his death last week.