In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

 

Neil Alexander Craig

 

Radioman Special, RCN

 

Born: 03 Jun 1943, Crayford, Kent, England

 

Died: 10 May 2025, Orillia, Ontario, Canada

 

CRAIG, Neil Alexander - It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Neil Alexander Craig on the evening of Saturday May 10, 2025 at Hospice Huronia, after a brief but valiant battle with cancer.

 

Born in Crayford, Kent, England, Neil emigrated to Canada with his family in 1947, settling in Midland, Ontario, where he spent much of his youth. He is lovingly remembered by his cherished wife Jan, their precious golden retriever Lily, his sons Myles (Joelle) and Bryan (Cindy), and his treasured grandchildren Matthew, Andrew, and Aiden. He was predeceased by his parents John (Alec) and Iris Craig (née Hawkes), and his brother Keith.

 

At age 12, Neil was recruited to the Midland Brass Band who he played with for a number of years, and soon after also joined the local Sea Cadet Corps (RCSCC Huron) playing lead drum in the Corps’ bugle band. Neil also played kit drums with a number of local bands during his teenage years, but his high school experience led him to the French Horn and a love of classical music. Neil maintained this love for classical music throughout his life, enjoying both choral and instrumental music from the Baroque period.

 

Neil joined the Royal Canada Navy in 1962, training at both HMCS Cornwallis and HMCS Gloucester, and served mostly in the far North at HMCS Churchill (Manitoba) during the Cold War, monitoring Russian radio communications. After retiring from the Navy in 1965, Neil stayed on in Churchill, working for Pan-American Airways at the Churchill Research Range as an Electronic Technician.

 

Neil obtained his private and commercial pilots license in 1968, and he worked for a short period soon after as a Flying Instructor and Charter Pilot at Collingwood Air Services, flying out of Huronia Airport.

 

After working at Motorola for a short time, Neil settled into a 30-year career at TRW (formerly Décor Metal Products) as Buyer in the Purchasing Department. His time with TRW included a transfer to Rochester Hills, Michigan USA where he continued in Purchasing and Purchasing Management positions, travelling globally until his retirement in 2005. After retirement, Neil and Jan eventually returned to the Midland area, and in 2007 relocated to nearby Wyevale, Ontario.

 

Neil’s deep connection to pipe band music spanned more than 50 years, and he shared his amazing talents on the snare drum with many people during this time. Starting in the early 1970s, Neil played with the Midland Legion Branch 80 Pipes and Drums. While living in Michigan he played first with the Birmingham Pipe Band and then with St. Andrews Pipe Band (a Grade 3 competition band). Upon his return to the Midland area, Neil rejoined the Midland Legion Branch 80 Pipes and Drums and played with them as a Drum Sergeant for many years, retiring from band life in January 2025. During this latter period Neil also spent 15 years playing with the Commissioner’s Own Pipes and Drums of the Ontario Provincial Police, a musical accomplishment he was particularly proud of.

 

Neil was involved with the Sea Cadets again in the 1980s when the Navy League of Canada reformed a cadet corps in the Midland area as RCSCC 286 Trillium. Neil was Commissioned into the Naval Reserve (CIL) as a Lieutenant (N) and served as Trillium’s inaugural Commanding Officer for 3 years. Both of Neil’s sons joined the Sea Cadets and served proudly under his command.

 

Neil was also a lifelong scale model enthusiast, known internationally for his expert craftsmanship in 1/76 scale WWII British and Canadian military vehicles. In his later years, he scratch-built master models for casting companies Milcast Models and Friendship Models in Scotland. Over 60 of Neil’s models are on permanent display at the Regimental Museum of the Grey and Simcoe Foresters in Barrie, Ontario, where he also volunteered. His work was featured in military modelling magazines such as Tankette and Military Modelcraft International, and he generously shared his knowledge with fellow hobbyists around the world, many of whom he came to consider as close friends.

 

Neil was a generous mentor, a dedicated volunteer, and a true craftsman in all he pursued. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

 

The family would like to thank the staff at GBGH and Hospice Huronia for their compassionate care. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

 

Ships served in:

HMCS CORNWALLIS

HMC NRS GLOUCESTER

HMC NRS CHURCHILL

 


 

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