Darryl Kevin CRAIG

Darryl Kevin Craig - “ Mr. Craig”

“Be The Change”

February 12, 1952 - August 3, 2018

Predeceased by: Wife Andrea Craig, Parents Daphne and Lloyd Craig, Sister Ethne Craig

Survived by: Wife of 18 years - Jill Wilkie; Children: Cadeyrn (Chelsea) - Langley BC,

Keltie (Paul) - Nanaimo, BC, Curran (Lauren) - Montreal, Quebec; Stepdaughters: Kate Bryson (Chris) - Victoria, BC, Andrea Thring (Thomas) - Saltspring Island; Grandchildren: Cayse and Cavan, Oliver and Amelia, Bradley, MacKenzie and Maverick; Brother: Theron Craig and Sharon - Mukiltao, Washington State.

Personal and Historical Information

Darryl was born in Arnprior, Ontario and came home to the farm in Packinham in a horse drawn sleigh. When he was 1, the family moved to Ottawa where he grew up and attended school, graduating from Gloucester High School in 1970. Darryl was an active and talented athlete, participating in sports and athletics throughout his life. He was a lifeguard, played water polo, and held a third degree black belt in Karate as well as playing a host of other sports. He remained fit and worked out at the gym until he became ill 3 months ago.

After graduating from High School, he accepted a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill (UNC) to play football with the Tar Heels. During that time his team won the ACC Championship.

Darry returned to Canada in 1974 to attend Queen’s University, earning an Honours Degree in Science and playing two more years of football for the Golden Gaels, earning Most Valuable Player both years. Graduating from Queen’s Darryl played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Hamilton Tiger Cats until he was sidelined by an injury. During his time at Queen’s, he also met and married Andrea Larche and began growing his family adding Cadeyrn, Keltie and Curran over the next few years.

He went back to University, earning a degree in Education from the University of Toronto and a Masters Degree in Education from UBC. Darryl’s career in education began in Terrace, BC where he taught for two years and then began a long career as a Principal in Terrace, Fort McMurray, Parksville and Qualicum. He was a Principal at every level of the public school system, Elementary, Junior High School, Middle School, Alternate Schools, and High School, as well as French Immersion Schools.

In 1994, Darryl became the Principal of Ballenas Secondary School in Parksville and later Principal of Kwalikum Secondary School in Qualicum. Among his accomplishments were the annual tradition of the Grad Parade at both Ballenas and Kwalicum Secondary, Support of the Football program at Ballenas, upgrading the Theatre and building a climbing wall at Ballenas. Sadly, during this time, Darryl lost his wife Andrea to cancer.

Darryl was active in a number of community groups over the years, Rotary, the Arrowsmith Pipe Band, the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, the Heart and Stroke Foundation as well as his professional organizations, QDPVPA and the BCPVPA.

In 2000, Darryl met and married Jill Wilkie and added two stepdaughters, Kate and Andrea to the family. Darryl was a big man and a big presence in all aspects of his life and in our lives. He loved his work, his family, his friends, his fishing, his travels, his bagpipes, cooking, gardening, working out, volunteering, he rarely sat still for long. He was tough, honest, energetic and forthright. He will be missed.

A Celebration of Darryl’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at the Knox United Church, 345 Pym St., Parksville. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation or the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre.

Lives Cherished and Celebrated