Craig Alan Ellery

1965 - 2024

Noank - Craig Alan Ellery (Jan. 21, 1965 - Aug. 25, 2024) The world has lost a smart, funny, compassionate and overall lovely human being, as our beloved Craig passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
Craig was born curious, always wondering how things worked, taking apart cars at a young age and pursuing a degree in zoology from the University of Rhode Island. Craig joined Pfizer in 1988, where he met the love of his life Suzanne during his first week in the hallway of the Cardiovascular Metabolic Diseases group, where they both started their careers. He was a respected research scientist and clinical study manager, retiring after 25 years at Pfizer after authoring over 40 scientific publications.
Craig believed in working to live, not living to work. He loved exploring other countries and cultures, most recently river cruising in Europe. He preferred traveling to warm locations like Bermuda, Jamaica, Aruba, Hawaii, and especially Bonaire to dive or snorkel. He also enjoyed colder locations like Whistler, Keystone and Loon Mountain to snowboard and apres-ski with friends. But his favorite location was his vacation home in Maine, where he could sit on the deck, overlooking the ocean, with his favorite people and dog Charlie.
Craig was our very own MacGyver, creating unique solutions to fix just about anything, not surprising for a son of a tool maker. He took up woodworking, building cabinets, tables and treasured cutting boards, jewelry boxes and cribbage boards for families and friends. One of his last projects was working with a small team to teach young children how to build a sailboat in our neighboring town of Groton Long Point (GLP). Music has always played an important part in Craig's life. He relearned how to play the guitar as an adult and could often be heard singing along, a big smile on his face. He loved all sorts of music, as well as attending concerts at Tanglewood, the Kate, Esker Point or listening to his favorite humming/strumming guy at a local bar. If you pulled up next to Craig, you would hear him blasting his favorites tunes like Rush, Boston, U2, Jack Jackson and yes, even Taylor Swift from his big red Tundra.
Craig loved being a dad/papa and was so very proud of Abel and Ben and what they have accomplished as young adults, and who they have chosen to spend their lives with. From a young age, he was their homework wizard after school, always modeling humility, kindness and gratitude, and how to choose happiness in life. Uncle Craig (Auntie Craig to some) was that fun guy with a teasing smile who enjoyed a good dogpile, being pushed into the pool, and attending his many nieces' and nephews' concerts, plays and sporting events.
Craig is predeceased by his mother Brenda Worrall Ellery of West Warwick, R.I. He leaves behind his wife Suzanne of almost 33 years of marriage. He also is survived by his children Abel and Ben; father Fred of W. Warwick, RI.; brother Mike and Kim of East Greenwich, R.I.; in-laws (or outlaws as he joked), Nora White of Groton, Tricia and Javier Rivera of Groton, Todd and Patti Brown of GLP, Chris and Meriwether Brown of New Milford, Emily and Ben Hayes of North Stonington; as well as 13 loving nieces and nephews; and six grand-nieces and nephews.
Craigs last act of kindness was donating his brain to the Yale Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit. In honoring Craig's wishes, there will not be a Mass or calling hours. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to join us at 10 a.m. Sept. 28, at Ocean Beach in New London, for the Walk to End Alzheimer's and/or donate to the Team Ellery page at this link: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2024/CT-Connecticut?team_id=912893&pg=team&fr_id=17502
Thank you to the amazing hospice team, his doctors and to our phenomenal caregivers Sandra, Aubrey, Kristin, Tricia and Emily who provided Craig not only with exceptional care but also with compassion, laughter and love. And to our friends and family, we could not have made it through this difficult journey without your love and our support. Let's continue to honor Craig's life through kindness, love and laughter!