Ronald Vincent Craig

1912-2008

Ronald Vincent Craig
Peacefully at the Charlotte County Hospital, St. Stephen NB on June 13, 2008, Mr. Ronald Vincent Craig, loving husband of Minerva Avis (Cross) Craig of St. George NB. Born in Tryon NB on October 22, 1912 he was a son of the late Charles Alvin and Margaret May (Wilson) Craig.

A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Ron is survived by: two sons; Bill (Carroll) Craig of Rollingdam NB and Paul (Brenda) Craig of Cumberland Bay NB. One daughter; Mary Beaudry of St. George NB, 10 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great great grandson and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one grandson Kevin Beaudry, and four brothers; Murray, John, Paul and Charles.

Ron was a self employed barber by trade and was well known to many in the St. George area who frequented his shop over the years for a trim and to get caught up on the local news. He was an avid outdoorsman who in earlier years loved hunting and fishing. Ron also was a member of the Presbyterian Kirk, St. George as well as the St. George Masonic Lodge # 12 F&AM where he was a former past master.

Resting at the St. George Funeral Home and Crematorium (755-3533), 26 Portage Street, St. George NB with visiting on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9PM. The service will be held on Monday at 2 pm from the Presbyterian Kirk, St. George with Rev. Basil Lowery officiating followed by interment in the St. George Rural Cemetery. In Ron’s memory, donations to the NB Heart and Stroke Foundation, Presbyterian Kirk, St. George or a charity of the donors choice would be appreciated by the family. The St. George Masonic Lodge #12 F&AM will be holding their tribute service at the funeral home on Saturday at 7:00 PM.

St. George loses an icon
By BARB RAYNER ST. GEORGE –
The town has lost an icon with the death of Ron Craig who had been cutting hair for over 70 years and still continued to operate his barber shop on Brunswick Street into his 90s. Craig, who died at Charlotte County Hospital Friday, June 13, at the age of 95, talked of quitting back in 2005 but until recently he still had a few regulars who stopped by his shop a couple of nights a week for a trim and to catch up on the local news. Born in Tryon, he started out in his younger years as a cook working alongside his father, Charles Craig, in logging camps then he decided to go off to barber school in Halifax and completed the 10-week course in six weeks. He was offered a job in St. George and it was while he was boarding here that he met his wife of 70 years, Minerva, who was working in a local restaurant. He began barbering in St. George in 1937 and first went to work in H.O. Parks’ barber shop then opened his own business in town, Ron’s Barber Shop, a year later. In those days a shave was 15 cents and a haircut was 35 cents. Some of his customers, who are now senior citizens, had been going to him since they were boys. In 1997, he was honoured for his years of service to the town by the Eastern Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, which presented him with a plaque during Small Business Week. At that time he had been a barber for 61 years and had no plans to retire. A former member of town council, he was elected in 1988 and served for three years. He was also a Mason for over 60 years and was Master of the local Lodge in 1972 as well as being a member of the Presbyterian Kirk in St. George. Mayor Sharon Tucker said the community was saddened by his loss. She said Craig had demonstrated a true commitment to his community and was very much a part of the community, continuing to work until his health prevented it. “Certainly many people visited his shop for more than a hair cut. It was a place where people gathered to share. The community is losing more than a barber,” she said. “Our thoughts go with his family. He was very much a part of the community. He was involved in the Presbyterian Kirk for years and he always had stories. He was such a wealth of knowledge about the history of the town. If you had a question about something you could go out to Ron and he could tell you exactly what occurred.” He is survived by his wife, sons, Bill (Carroll), of Rollingdam, and Paul (Brenda), of Cumberland Bay, and daughter, Mary Beaudry, of St. George, 10 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great, great grandson. The funeral took place Monday, June 16 at the Presbyterian Kirk with Rev. Basil Lowery officiating followed by interment in St. George Rural Cemetery. In his memory, donations to the NB Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by his family.