Craig S. Chadwick

Craig S. Chadwick

Spring 1953 – Winter 2024

Craig passed away peacefully at home, on February 24, with his wife and family lovingly at his side.

Craig "knew thyself". He was a man of integrity and was guided by a strong moral compass. He had a keen intellect and was well read, yet unassuming. Craig was curious and enjoyed digging into the details of the topic at hand. He was well-versed in and concerned about the political, social and environmental issues of our time. His motto was "knowledge is power" and he was a stickler for facts and the truth. He was steady, practical, dependable, generous and sometimes stubborn.

Craig was born in Greenfield, MA to Marion and George Chadwick. He attended Greenfield public schools, and two years at Deerfield Academy. He received a BA degree in Political Science from UMass Amherst.

Craig was born to be a firefighter and firefighting was his lifelong passion. During college he became an EMT and a Greenfield volunteer firefighter. His plan was to pursue a career in Fire Service, however life took a detour and he went to work at Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance. Craig eventually took a position at Phoenix in CT, and became a volunteer firefighter in Rocky Hill, CT and later in Marlborough, CT.

Craig left Phoenix and went to GroupAmerica, working his way up to a Senior Management position in Customer Service. He met his wife, Debra, there in 1989 and they have been together ever since.

After GroupAmerica, Craig worked at MassMutual Life Insurance Company as a Manager/Director in Client Services. In 2009, he retired from MassMutual at 56 years young, and checked a big item off his bucket list when he and Debra purchased their Cape Cod dream home.

Debra and Craig created and shared many wonderful memories together hosting family and friends at their home. Craig was an avid and graceful skier, and he and Debra enjoyed their annual ski trips to VT with friends.

Craig loved living at the Cape and was happy staying on "the island". He spent countless lazy days at the beach reading a library book and chilling. He liked to putter in the yard with Debra and help her with her bees.

Craig gave back to his community financially and with his service. He was destined to become involved with the Harwich Fire Service and was instrumental in the project planning for the new Station 2. Craig also took pride in, and enjoyed serving on the Harwich Planning Board for several years, where his attention to detail and fact-finding skills served him well. Craig and Debra delivered Meals on Wheels together and he thoroughly enjoyed this weekly ritual. Every spring, Craig counted herring for the Harwich Conservation Trust. He was fascinated by the herring runs and this feat of nature.

Craig sparked a connection with the children of friends and family and was 100% present and engaged when he spent time with them - coloring, playing games, and talking about fire trucks.

Craig was predeceased by his parents, grandmother Alice F. Grant, and nephew, Taylor Grogan. He is survived and missed by his wife, Debra Guerard, stepsons Ryan and Joshua (Kayleigh) Guerard, sister Priscilla Chadwick, sister-in-law Doreen Raskys, niece Chelsey Grogan Bohonowicz (Keith), sweet grandniece Scarlett, and a host of cousins, extended family and friends.

Debra extends a heartfelt thank you and deep appreciation for the outstanding medical care and compassion Craig received for many years from the extraordinary Dr. Bhan and his team at Mass General Hospital.

In the fall, once the renovation project is complete, there will be a celebration of Craig's well-lived life, at The Old Bank Street Fire Station in Harwich. https://www.facebook.com/harwichfireassociation?mibextid=sCpJLy

In his loving memory, donations may be made to The 203 Bank Street Project, and mailed to:

Harwich Fire Association, Inc., PO Box 23, Harwich Port, MA 02646.