Good morning everyone, my name is Chris and I’m Craig’s younger brother. I can honestly say that I never envisioned being here today delivering this eulogy to you. It has been said that death ends a life, not a relationship, and my special relationship with Craig will continue to inspire and move me for years to come.
On behalf of Craig’s loving wife Martha, his incredible sons Jordan and Jeremy, my parents Rocky and Lee, my sister Stephany, and our entire extended joint families, I want to express my sincere gratitude to you for coming today to celebrate my brother’s life. I also would like to acknowledge those around the world who are mourning with us, but can’t be here today in person. I am blessed and honored to eulogize Craig, and, because I loved him so deeply, I am not sure if I will be able to remain composed throughout this speech. If I have trouble, my beautiful wife, Sarah will step in.
As I started to collect my thoughts, talked to many others about past fond memories, and ultimately started to draft out Craig’s eulogy, it struck me deeply how difficult it is to try to summarize someone’s life in a matter of minutes. If you think about it, it really isn’t fair that we have to try to compile so many awesome memories and stories of a lost loved one in such a short and sudden period of time. This would be difficult to do for an average person, spirit, and soul. The fact that we know Craig was not your average person, that he had a spirit and soul unlike most, and that he touched so many lives, makes it extra difficult to try memorialize him in this speech today.
That said, this memorial today should be a joyful one, and not a mournful one. We, after all, have to keep in mind who we are here to celebrate - Craig - and what he would have preferred us to focus on today, which would have no doubt been celebrating his life’s memories with his family and friends. We’ve all lost a friend, we’ve lost a champion, and I am certain he would want us to smile, laugh, and remember his love for life. As we all know, Craig loved life completely and lived it intensely. The writer E.E Cummings once said that "the most wasted of all days is one without laughter," and I know Craig never wasted any of the precious days that he lived.
What I would like to do today is talk directly to my friend, my brother Craig. Craig, your surprising passing has truly suspended reality for every single one of us. It was way too soon, and completely unfair on all levels of reality. As focused and driven as you were to please and care for others before your own needs, I think you would be happy to know that many people across the world who you touched throughout your life have sent their love and have been grieving deeply since your loss.
Through social media, it’s been truly overwhelming to see the stream of sadness, remembrance, and love for your life that has been transcending the globe. There are not many people in this world who can command this type of outpouring, brother. As we alI try to make sense of losing you, it has become very apparent to me that you were the most successful person in my life based on what life should really be about: love, family and friendship. You delivered your spirit, passion and message to more people than most people come to ever know in a much longer lifetime, and you were clearly heard.
After seeing your picture on Facebook, author Lisa Glatt who never met you said “There are certain faces that you see in life or in pictures, and you think, there, there is a good man. Craig had one of those special faces.” Many others have also commented on your infectious smile.
Craig, you gave so many of us strength in times of trouble, wisdom in times of uncertainty, and sharing in times of happiness. Ralph Waldo Emerson explained that it is not the length of life, but the depth of life that matters, and you lived a deep, meaningful life. I will try to convey the depth of your life now by remembering how you left a lasting impact on those who loved you most.
Many people may not know that you were not only my immediate older brother, but you were truly my best friend! From my very first childhood memories, you and I were hardly ever apart. From our countless days riding bikes, playing sports, climbing trees, to you teaching me how to drive a car, we were inseparable in our early years. I always felt so lucky that you welcomed me to play with you and your friends and never shunned me or turned your back on me. Because of your open arms, I was part of a tightknit group of friends that we shared together. You and our group of friends taught me the ways of life and helped me grow into the man I am today.
Craig, people may have viewed you through your physical stature, which may have been average in height. But people who truly knew you looked past your physical stature and focused on the more important spiritual and soulful realm of your being, and they saw a person that could see above the tallest and most giant of spirits and souls. Those who knew you well knew that you had a vision of the future and a plan for just how you were going to build it. You were a true dreamer!
Your enthusiasm to continue to grow and learn was so great that you swept over any level of negativity that anyone may have tried to lay in front of you. If someone didn’t agree with your thoughts and vision, you never tried to challenge or convince them, but rather you had the rare ability to enable people to understand your thoughts and plans in a collaborative way. You may not have known exactly where you were going each time, but you were well prepared and confident in your ability to fulfill your dreams. You were successful at just about anything you ever tried.
Craig, people appreciate how you took the time to interact with people of all ages: children, friends, elders, and even strangers who shared your passion for life. Most of us know that you associated with people from many different walks of life. While you were in the hospital, you had prayers from many different religions, meditations, gifts of positive thoughts, wishes, energy, and healing. It was truly amazing to see how many different people cared about you and prayed for you to recover. This just proved that regardless of people’s religion, beliefs, economic status or age, you treated everyone you met as if they were a close friend. I would like to remind you of a few examples that demonstrate this quality.
While you had a very busy family and professional life, you never wavered when someone asked for help, regardless of how big or small the task was. Your volunteer work every Friday morning at St. Felix pantry for the past 3 years touched so many people in need. For over 20 years, the Pantry has been a safety net for people struggling to support their families in times of crisis. They provide, free of charge, food, clothing, household items, and referral services, and everyone knows that you were a key member of their volunteer team. Your time spent with Jeremy and his Rio Rancho High School football team made the fact that they won the state championship even more sweet. Along with other caring parents, you spent so much time with the team before, during, and after the games. Since I live out of town, I was unable to attend the state championship game, but as soon as the game ended, I received and savored the text you sent me that said: “State champs BABY!! I’m so proud of Jeremy.”
In your obituary we reminded everyone that you had numerous hobbies and interests: biking, carpentry, snowboarding and traveling to name a few. While these may have be personal interests for you, you were usually doing them with friends and family or making something to give to someone. Your zest for life was infectious, and there was never a shortage of people who wanted to do various activities with you and simply be in your presence.
You and Martha were such a fun couple, and the love you shared for each other was so obvious to everyone who knew you. Martha tells me that you were persistent in a good way, that you would never take no for an answer, and you would persist until she gave in on certain things. Friends could see this quality when you were at parties where dancing was involved. Everyone knows that you loved to dance and experience a party to the fullest. Martha said she may have had some insecurities for all things that would put her on public display, especially dancing! When the music started, you would get up and start dancing with your silliest, goofiest moves. She told me that this always made her laugh; you were so secure with who you were that it didn’t matter to you that you weren’t putting on the perfect dance moves and that you were possibly embarrassing yourself. You just cared about being out there, participating,and having fun with friends and family.
This was also evident in your love for spontaneity. Martha especially remembers how you were always up for an adventure. She said you guys went on a few trips at the last minute just to get out and have fun. You always arrived at your destinations safely, and you always made Martha and your boys feel so loved and protected. She is going to miss you so much more than she already does. As you might expect, she said she cannot even comprehend the hurt she is going to feel in the weeks and months to come.
Jordan and Jeremy will always remember your love and tremendous support for everything they ever wanted to do. They knew that you wanted the best for them and wanted them to be successful in whatever they did. They also understood that you wanted them to never settle for mediocrity. Jordan and Jeremy told me that you were always so compassionate and wanted them to go and have fun and experience new things. They have countless memories of the great trips you all took to Chicago, Florida, Lake Tahoe, California, and more. You were such a fun dad to be around. They know that you cared so much for them, and just wanted the best for everyone. They miss you so much, Craig, and they want to thank you for all the love you gave them and everything you did for them. You were a wonderful father.
Stephany wants you to know that you were an extremely important part of each phase of her life. She said many of her childhood memories revolve around her two big brothers (you and me) and that she rarely did anything without our presence or approval. She remembers that you took her to buy her very first tennis racket, and we all know the tremendous tennis player she became. Steph also told me that you were the first person to take her on long hikes in secluded parts of New Mexico, which she fondly remembers today.
In her teen years, she said you became one of her strongest cheerleaders and protectors. Stephany told me that you never hesitated to tell her how proud of her you were and her accomplishments, and you made her feel important, special, and strong.
As an adult with children of her own now, Stephany said you were an incredible sounding board, mentor and coach. When she decided to move back to New Mexico a year ago to spend more time with family and friends, she said you were very instrumental in helping her to make that right life changing decision. She never realized how profound this last year would be, and she is extremely grateful for every second you two spent together over the last year. She is especially thankful that her son Francisco has fond memories of his Uncle Craig giving him hot wheels, taking him on hiking adventures, and wrestling on our parent's floor.
Craig, Stephany said it’s hard to imagine moving forward into the next phase of her life without your constant love, support, kisses and laughter. She wants you to know that she’s truly heartbroken that their little girl who is due in May won't know her Uncle Craig, but please know that Stephany will carry with her all of your lessons, your examples and love with her every day moving forward.
Mom and Dad are so thankful for all of the years they spent with you, Craig...or as Dad calls you, Runo. Having you here in New Mexico with them was a true blessing for so many reasons. They got to watch you proudly raise two amazing boys and are grateful that you and Martha made sure they were a big part of their everyday lives. They feel fortunate to have had you not only as a remarkable son, but also as a business partner for many years and someone that they could always call upon for help—whether it was to hang their Christmas lights or take them out for a good time. One particular good time that Mom will always cherish is when you took her to the Santa Fe Opera to see Arabella as a birthday present. You made her 70th birthday special in a way that you only could, with wine and cheese beforehand, taking her out for “high tea,” and then buying the framed print to commemorate the day. She will forever treasure that print and the memory of that perfect day. You were everything that two parents could have asked for in a son...they will miss your fun spirit, love, kindness, ingenuity and creativity. We all will have to work extra hard to fill the void that will be felt in their home.
I’ve heard, Craig, that some are bound to die young. By dying young, a person stays young in people’s memories. If they burn brightly before they die, their brightness shines for all time. You will never leave our memories, and your spirit will infuse us every single day.
Craig, life without you will never be the same again, you have truly left a hole that will never be filled, but whether we understand what this all means or whether we like it or not, we have to sometimes just admit that angels and true spirits are needed back in heaven, after gracing earth with their presence. Craig, you are certainly in that category. Time will never heal the pain that we are all going through, and without you, our lives are forever changed. I love you from the bottom of my heart, and I can’t thank you enough for everything you did for me and everyone else in your life.
Elizabeth Kubler Ross said "People are like stained-glass windows They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within." Craig -- you had one of the brightest souls, spirit and internal light that we will ever see, and you will never be forgotten.
God bless you, big brother Craig. You are my hero, my idol, my inspiration, and responsible for everything I have and will accomplish in my life! As much as I don’t want to let you go, you now have wings, so please fly high and go see the many places you always wanted to see. We will forever know that you will continue your selfless ways and watch over us and protect us.
I would like to close with some words from Sri Chinmoy: "Death is not the end. Death can never be the end. Death is the road. Life is the traveller. The soul is the guide. Our mind thinks of death. Our heart thinks of life. Our soul thinks of immortality." And we all know that Craig has one of the brightest and strongest souls that we will ever be fortunate to come across.
Thank you, everyone. Please never forget the fond memories of my brother Craig!
