Eugene (Gene) Curtin Craig, 95 of Connellsville passed away peacefully at St. Anne Home in Greensburg, Sunday afternoon, February 3, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 29, 1923, son of Jacob and Emogene Bigham Craig of Normalville. He is survived by a daughter, Terry and husband Ronnie Frey of Berlin, Maryland; sons Alan and wife Debbie Craig of Irwin and Barry and wife Judy Craig of Connellsville; Grandchildren, Heather and husband Patrick Donahue of Alpharetta, Georgia, Lyndsay and husband John Theibert of Columbus, Ohio, Jordan and husband Ryan Nyiri of Connellsville, Rob Leyden of Tucson, Arizona and Karen Leyden of Pittsburgh; great grandchildren, Erin and Kiera Donahue and Nash Theibert.
He is also survived by brothers, J. Robert Craig of Monongahela, Vaughn and Juanita Craig of Normalville; a sister, Marcene ElSavage of The Villages in Florida; a sister-in-law Mary Craig of Normalville and a son-in-law Bob Leyden of Scottdale. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Kathleen Lambing Craig; brothers, Ronald and Gerald Craig, daughter Patricia Leyden, sister-in-law Virginia Craig; nephews David Craig and Ronnie Craig; also special former employees Sam Osterwise, Charlie Howard, Jack Dull, Ernie Covert and Jim Brilhart. Gene served in the US Army in World War II and achieved the rank of Master Sargent.
He was deployed in the European theatre and was very proud serving under General Patton in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a very well decorated serviceman with many medals including two Purple Hearts. He was a charter member of the VFW of Normalville.
Gene and his wife, Kathleen, started Craig Appliance in Normalville in 1958, selling appliances and TV’s. They added selling snowmobiles to the business in 1965, along with motorcycles and ATV’s. Gene had a real passion for anything with a motor.
He was a member of the Connellsville Boat Club, enjoying many summer weekends boating with his family at Yough Lake. He won many races with his snowmobiles but still wanted to go faster which led him to his next endeavor. Gene became an avid airplane pilot, passed his instrument rating test and achieved his commercial flying license in 1971.
He primarily flew the eastern half of the US privately for Golden Eagle Construction until his retirement in 1998. He continued to be very visible in the family business at Craig Appliance and Furniture, which has been at his current Connellsville location since 1974. Many thanks to Helen, Marie, Kathy, Jessica and Lil for the wonderful care they gave Gene while he was at home and the tremendous staff at St. Anne Home while he resided there.
The care provided to Gene during the last few years of this life made him more comfortable and gave his family peace of mind. Gene will be sadly missed but fondly remembered as a man with many talents who served his country with pride. Visitation will be at the Brooks Funeral Home, Inc., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville on Thursday, February 7 from 2:00 – 9:00 P.M. and Friday, February 8 form 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 Noon, the hour of service in the funeral home with Pastor Raymond Hill officiating.
Interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville. Military Honors will be accorded by the Connellsville American Legion and VFW Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sharing the Harvest Campaign for Connellsville Area Ministries, 110 W. Crawford Avenue, Connellsville, Pa.
15425. To offer a condolence or remembrance please visit www. brooksfuneralhomes.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Eugene (Gene) Curtin Craig please visit our Sympathy Store.
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