Craig Alan Hersch

With hearts full of love, we remember Craig Alan Hersch, 67, of Ferndale, Washington, who left this world on February 20, 2026, after a long battle with lung disease. Surrounded by his loved ones in a room filled with love, stories, laughter, and tears, Craig passed away peacefully.

Craig was born on November 4,1958, in Missoula, Montana, to Aloys Hersch and Lillian Brilz. In 1966, at the age of eight, he moved with his family back to Shields, North Dakota, where they purchased the family farm originally homesteaded by his grandparents, Cornelius Hersch and Theresia Ruscheinsky.

Life on the farm shaped Craig in lasting ways. Over ten years, the family grew to eight children, all living in a two-room farmhouse filled with energy, faith, and laughter. Their strong German-Russian heritage instilled in him the values of hard work, resilience, and the importance of gathering around the table for good meals. Working the farm was a labor of love. There was time for work and time for play - hunting, fishing, and endless adventures with seven siblings never far from his side. It was there that Craig developed the incredible work ethic that defined his life.

Craig attended Leahy Elementary School and Saint Gertrude's High School, where he was active in athletics. He played basketball and competed in track and field, throwing discus, javelin, and shot put. He graduated in 1977, the same year his family sold the farm, moved to Washington State, and welcomed their youngest sibling.

Craig attended Central Washington University, where he met his wife, Lisa Weiman. They later settled in Ferndale, Washington. During their twenty-four year marriage, they welcomed three daughters, who became the center of his world.

Throughout the 1980s, Craig worked at the Bellingham Cement Plant before transitioning to the Intalco/Alcoa Aluminum Plant, where he spent much of his career working long hours and shift work to provide for his family. Even after a full day's work, Craig was rarely still. He was always building something - whether an outbuilding, pouring concrete, or constructing nearly half of the family home where they lived for almost twenty years. If there was a project to be done, Craig had his tool belt on and was ready to tackle it.

He was a devoted father, attending countless sporting events and music performances for his daughters. Summers often meant trips to Mt. Rainier and large family gatherings that created lasting memories filled with laughter and connection.

In his later years, Craig met his partner, Tonya Matter, with whom he spent nearly twenty years sharing his life and building a home. Together they loved traveling and taking special trips to North Dakota, Arizona, Leavenworth, and Anacortes. They enjoyed relaxing at home, Craig's homemade dinners every night, and watching the sunset in Birch Bay. They built a life filled with companionship and created new memories.

Never one to stop growing, Craig returned to school at Bellingham Technical College, which opened the door to a career with the City of Bellingham. Over more than twelve years of dedicated service, he worked his way up to Water Treatment Plant Operator III - a testament to his persistence, intelligence, and unwavering work ethic.

When he wasn't working, Craig cherished time with his grandchildren and valued his many friendships. He loved hunting trips, fishing and crabbing in Puget Sound, meeting at Cedars for breakfast and a caesar, and gathering with his buddies for card games. He had a love for music, and his favorites included The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. Craig was also a huge football fan. He proudly cheered on the Washington Huskies and never missed an opportunity to watch the Seattle Seahawks play. Whether it was game day excitement or spirited conversations about the season, football was something he loved. Craig was truly the life of the party. He had a great laugh, a warm smile, and a way of bringing energy and humor into any room he entered.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Al & Lillian. He is survived by his loving partner, Tonya Matter; his daughters, Audrey, Adrienne, and Erin; daughter-in-law, Destinee; sons-in-law, Mike, Casey, and Shane; and his cherished grandchildren, Brock, Clay, Marshall, Morgan, Claire, Treycen, and Presley. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses, Rodney (Beth), Valerie (Dave), Kevin (Sherri), Vickie, Janelle, Brent, Melanie (Chuck), and Natalie (Brian); along with 13 nieces and nephews; and his best friends, Levi, Ron, and Doug.

Craig lived a life defined by grit, generosity, humor, and deep devotion to the people he loved. He built things that lasted - homes, friendships, traditions, and a legacy rooted in loyalty and hard work. Though his absence leaves an ache in our hearts, his laughter echoes in our memories, and his spirit lives on in the lessons he taught us: show up, work hard, love deeply, and never miss kick-off.

He will be missed more than words can say and remembered more often than he would have ever expected.

Funeral Arrangements & Celebration of Life

A funeral service honoring Craig's life will be held on Friday, May 1st at 1:30pm at Moles - Greenacres Memorial Park, 5700 Northwest Drive, Ferndale, WA 98248. A celebration of life will immediately follow at the BP Heron Center, 7290 Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay, WA 98230, where family and friends are invited to gather, share stories, laughter, and memories. In true Craig fashion, come as you are. Sports attire highly encouraged. The family can be reached at cliftonfamily85@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Craig by simply raising a glass, sharing a good story, working hard on something meaningful, or cheering on the Washington Huskies or Seattle Seahawks - preferably loudly.