CRAIG, David Laird – Westville. If you are reading this obituary then I have lost my 4 year courageous battle with cancer and have departed this life as we know it. I was so blessed to have so many wonderful friends over the past 62 years, especially my best friend and love of my life, my beautiful wife Florence. I was born in Kentville, February 09, 1949, the eldest son of Donald L. and Mary (Stobo) Craig. I am survived by my caring wife of 25 years Florence (Ross); my parents; my sister, Sue (Dr. Rob) Gunn, Kentville; brother, William (Barb), Kentville; brother Colin (Alison), Halifax; my father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Bernadette Ross, Little Harbour Road, and my brother-in-law, Duncan Ross, Little Harbour Road. I am also survived by several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, great-nieces and great nephews. I truly will miss them all. I was pre-deceased by both my family Grandparents Craig and Stobo. I am also survived by my extended family and guardian angels at the Cancer Unit, Aberdeen Hospital who gave me such wonderful care, compassion and friendship during my visits there since June 2007. Thank you to my unit nurses, Anne, Alice, Mamie, Joanne, Jean and Darlene. Also I want to thank Dr. Gerry Farrell and staff of the Palliative Care Unit for their care, compassion, and friendship towards making me comfortable for my journey home. I grew up in Kentville; graduated from Kings County Academy; and graduated from the Nova Scotia Institution of Technology with a Certified Engineer Technologist diploma. One of my most favourite places growing up was at the family cottage in Chester Basin. Truly a small piece of heaven that is dear to my heart. I first worked for the Wire Rope Company in Montreal, Quebec for 2 years and then TrentonWorks in Trenton for 38 years before retiring due to my health and closure of the plant in 2007. I enjoyed my career at the railcar plant as an Industrial Engineer; CNC Programmer and Manager with the Production Group. My co-workers were family and a pleasure to work with. My interest in life was reading, boating, model building, cars, rebuilding my 1926 Model “T” Ford, antique car shows, travelling with a special love for Quebec City, NASCAR races, enjoying Jeff Willett’s homemade pizza, delivering coffee daily to Florence and Darlene and my daily visit to Tupper’s garage where my favourite beagle Maggie would always greet me. I also enjoyed my many visits with my friend Sandy Stephenson for coffee and a chat over the past 4 years. I truly will miss getting to the NASCAR races in Lowden, New Hampshire and Daytona, Florida with my special friends, Tupper and Linda Willett, MacLellans Brook, and Joe and Wanda MacLeod, Westville, but I know they will keep me in their hearts as they watch future races. Tupper said my racing is over but that’s no reason for them and Florence to not continue going to the races and shopping. The Willett sons, Trevor and Jeff were my chosen sons. Thank you Tupper and Linda for everything and I know Florence will continue to share your wonderful friendship. I love you both and love your sons as if they were my own. I want to thank Florence’s best friend Linda, her cousin Sandra, her work pals Chrissie and Darlene and Ann MacLeod, RN for the outstanding support given to Florence at the hospital. A special thank you to the employees of Nova Scotia Power at Florence’s Stellarton Depot as well as all her other Nova Scotia Power family. Your kindness is appreciated. I requested cremation which has taken place. Visitation with Florence and my family will be 2-4 and 6-7 p.m. Thursday, February 10, 2011 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow from where funeral service will be held in the chapel at 7 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson officiating. A private family committal at Heatherdale Memorial Garden, Sylvester, will be held at a later date. I have also requested some of my ashes be buried at the family cottage in Chester Basin. Family flowers only please. Donations in my memory if so desired may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Aberdeen Hospital, Palliative Care Unit or a charity of one’s choice. “Please come out and support Florence and my family and tell them all the good and bad things you know about me, especially make them laugh. Thank you for all your love, friendship and support during my stay here on Earth. Until we meet again, enjoy life.” … David.