Craig M. Gruber

Craig was a famous musician, his music history & bio can be seen online. For this memorial, we will write about him as we knew him best, and as a member of our family. A Celebration of Craig's life will take place in St. Augustine, Florida on Wednesday, July 29th at The Historic Casa Monica Hotel from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. Please contact the family for details if you plan to attend.
Craig loved fast & beautiful race cars. He owned and refurbished a pair of vintage Porsches and enjoyed going to race car events held at Lime Rock, CT. and Watkins Glen, N.Y.  Craig had a passion for good food and drink, a few of his favorites were Japanese and Indian, with an occasional single malt. He loved to travel and one of his favorite places was the Bahamas were he could drink a cold Kalik beer and eat a freshly made conch salad made by "Billy the conch man" as pictured. He loved the casinos and he would always win on the slot machines! Craig had great style and love for music, he would describe his style of writing music as a "song within a song."
Craig spent most of his private time with his son Graham. The two of them were inseparable as father & son. Graham stayed strong and fought the cancer fight with his Dad and never gave up hope. We know Craig has become his guiding Angel.
Our family will deeply miss him. 
This is a beautiful message from his son Graham

As some may know my father, Craig Mills Gruber passed away May 5th from advanced Prostate Cancer. Myself, my aunt & a close family friend were there to be there in his final moments. He went peacefully with no drugs, & no pain. I am grateful that I was able to be with him, to tell him that I loved him, and that he was the best father, and friend that I could ever have hope to have. His positivity & energy touched so many, and left a lasting impression on even more. While many will remember him for his contributions to the heavy rock & metal scene for which he helped establish, the fame & musical prowess, the stories both good & bad, he will always be something much more than a rock legend. He was Dad.

Born: Jun 15, 1951 in Cortland, New York

Died: May 05, 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida

Obituary

Craig M. Gruber, Musician & Father Craig M. Gruber 64, of Jacksonville, FL., died Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 from a longtime battle with cancer. Born on June 15th, 1951 in Cortland, N.Y., he became well known internationally for his melodic and heavy rock bass style music. He performed with Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, Black Sabbath, The Gary Moore Band and others. He loved driving his vintage Porsches and watching vintage sports car racing. He enjoyed Japanese and Indian foods. Craig spent much of his later career teaching and motivating others to succeed and became a successful businessman endorsing his own line of bass guitars. Craig is survived by his beloved sons Graham and Justin; sister Carol, and brother Keith Gruber; in- laws, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Jordan; sister-in-law Alis Jordan-Bell; Brother-in-laws Kenji and Gene Jordan; and, ex-wife Christine Jordan-Ballis. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wendell and Marjorie Gruber, sister Pamela Rehbein-Gruber, and, brother Jeffrey Gruber. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory & assistance of Craig can be made to either: Mayo Clinic, (marked for Cancer Prostate Research) Mail to: Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224 OR: Contributions to assist with memorial services can be made to: ralijo@embarqmail.com sent via Paypal, Attn: Ralph Jordan/Craig Gruber.