Craig DAVIES

CRAIG JAMES DAVIES
November 9, 1949 - June 17, 2013
It is with profound sadness we announce that Craig James Davies, 63, of Chilliwack, BC, passed away on June 17, 2013 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
Craig was born to the late Arthur and Dorothy Davies in New Westminster, BC on November 9, 1949. Growing up as an Air Force brat, he lived with his family in Bagotville, Quebec; Zweibrucken, Germany; and Gimli and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Craig flourished growing up in these very diverse places, was a role model for his little sister Bonnie, making friends instantly and almost as instantly learning to communicate in French and German.
He graduated from Gimli High School and continued on to receive a diploma from Red River College in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
As an adult he moved to Langley, BC where he raised his family and lived for many years before moving on to Lindell Beach and then Garrison Crossing Chilliwack.
He was very proud of the years he spent coaching hockey for his two sons and many, many other young hockey players in Langley.
Craig met his wife Kate Davies (O'Brien) and they began their life together in 2000. They married on November 18, 2008 on a quiet beach in Hawaii. Together Craig and Kate enjoyed renovating and decorating their homes, creating beautiful gardens entertaining friends and travelling abroad and in Canada.
Craig was the owner of Design One, a graphic design studio in Langley for 35 years. He was very well respected in the Langley business community and was awarded the distinction of Business Person of the Year in 2011. Craig gave willingly of his time and expertise in various volunteer roles during the many years he spent in Langley, and was a dedicated member of the Downtown Langley Business Association.
He had an amazing talent for photography, particularly black and white, and recently enjoyed sharing his photographic adventures on his blog, www.thethingsisee.ca
He was enamored with travelling in general, but had a real passion for France where he visited often.
Craig had many interests and was a collector of rare and first edition books, Canadian stamps, local artwork and antique bottles, to name just a few.
Craig was a gifted conversationalist and genuinely loved people. He had a unique capacity to connect and made an impact on everyone who knew him. He was kind, generous and had a keen sense of fairness. He was a strong leader and a perfectionist. Those who knew him well will recall these common Craigisms – "Don't poke the bear" and " If it's not perfect, it's S**t".
Craig was predeceased by his stepson Corey, and is survived by his wife Kate, two sons from his first marriage to Bev Davies (Maly): Garth Davies and his wife Deborah, and Grant Davies and his wife Terri-Lee. Craig is also survived by his sister Bonnie Davies and her husband William; his Aunt Bonnie Howe and her husband Don; his four grandchildren Adam, Royce, Leila, and Keeley; and will be sorely missed by the rest of his relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 4, 2013 at Cascades Casino Hotel & Convention Centre in Langley.