Stephen Craik Obituary

Stephen A. "Steve" Craik, 59, died unexpectedly Friday, Oct. 26, 2007, at his home.

He was born in Lynn, Mass., to Arthur and Violet Craik on Sept. 3, 1948. He attended schools in the Saugus, Mass., area, where he was an exceptional baseball player in high school, and an avid Red Sox fan. He enlisted in the Army in 1969 and served two tours of duty as a member in the Special Forces as a paratrooper in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1974.

Following his discharge, he fulfilled his lifelong dream and moved to Montana, where he could enjoy his great love of the outdoors. He worked as a field construction boiler-maker on sites throughout the country. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, camping and riding his all-terrain vehicle.

Steve always lived life to the fullest. He was a free spirit who lived by his own set of rules, and was extremely independent. Yet, he had a very gentle and generous manner.

Survivors include his wife, Karen of Butte; stepsons and daughter-in-law, Troy and Jennifer Taylor and their children, Michael, Damion, and Meriah of Glendive, and John Cotter of Portland, Ore.; three daughters from a previous marriage, Brenda and Matt Pesikan and their children, Jason, Erik, Riley and Bryon of Coeur d'Alene, Becky Craik and Doug Violette and their children, Dylan, Tyler, Shawn and Caitlynn of Opportunity, Kritina Craik and her children, Derek and Lylee of Butte; mother, Violet Craik of Saugus, Mass.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Susan and John Driscoll, and Patty and George Kelly of Massachusetts.

All will miss Steve's quick-witted sense of humor and his willingness to help anyone in need. He will be sadly missed by his special nieces, "His Wee Ones," Brittany and Brianna Miller, and Ashley Jones; fishing buddy, Randy Hammond; neighbor, George "The Horse Whisperer"; and his four-wheeling antics with his nephew, Justin Miller.

"Steve, the Rainmaker will truly have his hands full between you and your best friend, Doc Roberts." Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home, with the Rev. Gary Treglown officiating.

Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Montana Standard on Oct. 30, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Craik

8 Entries

November 4, 2007

When someone we love passes away,
We ache, but we go on;
Our dear departed would want us to heal,
After they are gone.
Grief is a normal way to mend
The anguish and pain in our hearts;
We need time to remember and time to mourn,
Before the recovery starts.
Let's draw together to recuperate,
As we go throught this period of sorrow;
Let's help each other, with tender care
To find a brighter tomorrow.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at your time of loss.

Becky Craik

October 31, 2007

That was one of the longest car trips. Remember the grasshoppers in the Car? I wish I was able to spend more time with my dad but you always think there will be time later. I am glad that he was able to take his grandkids fishing and on four-wheeler rides. He did live for the moment and never in the past. I would like to talk to any family in Mass. It has been so long.

Amanda Armstrong Sztaba

October 31, 2007

We were so very sad to hear that Steve passed away last week. He was a truly wonderful man with a great sense of humor. He was the ultimate neighbor; he'd give you the shirt off his back if he thought you could use it. My children and I will sorely miss visiting with him each summer when we come up to visit. Our thoughts are with you, Karen.
With love, Amanda, Rob, Caleigh, Rachel and Alex Sztaba

Patti Kelly

October 30, 2007

We all lost Steve a few days ago but I have missed him for a very long time. I have missed my dear brother... my confidant, as well as the happy ending I had hoped for you. It has been 8 years since I last saw you and oh, how I treasured that time together. That memory is sweet and something to savor like hiding a piece of candy in your pocket, taking it out and enjoying the flavor, that incredible sweetness and hoping it's never going to be gone. It is very sad when I think of you, Steve. Two months ago you told me that you were sorry for not being a good brother to me. Have no regrets, dear brother, for I have always accepted you for yourself. I don't think that you knew that about me. I have loved every moment I got to share with you. There was no right way to be my brother, it was just the way it was with you. I will treasure that little piece of candy in my pocket forever. I will not travel to your memorial service in Montana because I want to remember you as you were when it was 8 years ago. You had that funny blue suit on at Megan's wedding. You looked like a true Methodist, you just needed a pin to stick on your lapel to complete the picture. And you called your shoes, "bo-bo shoes". This outfit wasn't at all you but, you tried to fit in with us. I thank you for that. I thank you for flying out to be at Daddy's bedside before he passed, and telling him you loved him. You meant the world to him and I don't think you ever realised that. I won't fly to Montana because you are already gone. Besides, you would tell me not to bother. You are now that incredibly magestic and beautiful eagle soaring up into the Big Sky over the mountains, feel the warmth of the sun and the clean, fresh air as you travel. You are the biggest fish that ever was, swimming in the cool, clear water and you will never be caught. You are a gigantic beautiful elk, roaming freely in nature,forever, never seeing a hunter. You are my brother. You belong to the ages now but we all preferred it when you belonged to us. You loved Karen, the precious gift to your life. We honor you Steve, you taught us the value of freedom and kindness. We look to that fine day when we will all see you again, all weariness gone, clear of mind and strong in spirit, smiling again, and the sorrow of your parting will be gone forever. Keep soaring Steve and may God make your flight the most incredibly beautiful journey into heaven. God bless Steve, the brother I so dearly loved...

susan driscoll

October 30, 2007

dear karen,my heart and thoughts are with you--my brother was his own person,played by his own rules and took ownership for his actions--i wish you both had been closer in miles but life plays out in ways we cannot always control-- he loved montana,he found a closeness to you that i envy and was able to fulfill his constant yearning for the outdoors there in "big sky country"--my thoughts are with you now and thanks to you for bringing special sunshine into his life--know that he loved you,go redsox!!---xxoo,susan

Megan Kirkpatrick

October 30, 2007

Hi Karen, So sorry to hear the news. Although we didn't see each other often, I have fond memories of Uncle Steve...smart, funny, and his own person! Took my only cross-country car trip with him when I was young and he always was in awe of nature.
He will be missed. Take good care,
Fondly, Megan, James, and family

Grant Ellison

October 30, 2007

Stephen:
I will miss you more than words can express. The brotherhood of veterans is special, you were at the top. Always positive even when times were tough. I will always remember the rubber raft that you brought along to a mountain lake and tried for hours to get it blown up. Still positve when you could not fix the leak. When my son died, you were there for me buddy. Our talks were special, but every minute was enduring to me. Prayers for your wife Karen and family. Til we meet again my fellow veteran and very special friend.

Sharon Miller

October 30, 2007

Good bye Steve, my good friend and a great brother-in-law. Keep blazin’ your own trails buddy... All my heart felt Sympathy to you Karen. Remember little Sis I will be there and hopefully able to comfort you and ease some of your pain. All my love! Always, Sharon

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