We Remember
CRAIGE, Harry
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Harry Craige was born on April 28, 1934 in Islay Alberta to parents Harold Bevin Craige and Therese Anna de Delley. Harry spent his childhood days growing up on the Dewberry, Alberta farm with his brother Bruce and sisters Jean and June. At the ripe old age of 17, Harry decided to leave the farm to go north to Yellowknife where he got a job in a gold mine. Three years later in 1957, he came to Salmo where he met and married his wife Elaine. The day after the nuptials, the newlyweds started the process to move to Elliott Lake Ontario for Harry to work in the Uranium mines. Both Harry and Elaine’s children Betty and Dale were born during their time in Ontario. After the mines closed down in Ontario, they came back to beautiful BC and found themselves at home back in Salmo. Harry worked several years at the Cominco mines in Salmo, Trail and Kimberly. From Kimberly, he got a job with Anvil Mines and he moved his family to Faro Yukon where they lived for several years. In 1971 they moved to Williams Lake where Harry worked for Gibraltar Mines. After leaving Gibraltar, Harry worked for a company based out of Kamloops that had Harry working at a mine in Stewart BC. After that, Harry took a contract with a mine in Chile. When he came back, he went to Kinross gold mine in Quesnel until his retirement in 1998. In 2012 Harry and Elaine moved to Kelowna where they lived until Harry’s passing. Throughout his life, Harry was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and camping. He passed the love of his outdoors to his children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren.
Harry passed away suddenly in Kelowna, BC on Monday, December 28, 2015 at the age of 81. Survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Elaine; son Dale Craige and his daughters Natasha and Niki; daughter Betty Engemoen and her daughter Jenny (Ryan) Schmalz and great grandchildren Carson and Mia. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 8th at 1:00 pm at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, 2268 Pandosy Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1T2. For those wishing to send a condolence, photos or share memories, may do so by scrolling down this page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Friday, January 8th at 1:00 pm
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, 2268 Pandosy Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1T2
Service Information
Service Details
The service for CRAIGE, Harry is scheduled for Friday, January 8th at 1:00 pm . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Thinking of you and your family at this time.
Dear Elaine, Dale, Betty and family,
So sorry to learn of your sad news. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Susan
Dear Aunt Elaine, Cousins Betty, Dale, and the entire Craige Family,
I was so very sorry to hear of the passing of Uncle Harry. Your family will continue to stay in my thoughts and prayers. Love and hugs to everyone and I am incredibly sorry for your loss.
XOXO
Ingri Tarantino and the Tarantino boys
We will remember Harry’s welcoming hug, his wonderful sense of humor .He was always willing to lend a hand ,we were so fortunate to have this wonderful family for neighbors.And of course always had a fish or three to share ! To Elaine ,Dale,Betty & families our heartfelt love & prayers of comfort for you all .
To Elaine and family:
So very sorry to hear of Harry’s unexpected passing. The picture you posted of him is exactly how we remember him…always upbeat and wearing a smile!
Thinking of you at this sad time, and sending you and your family our heartfelt condolences.
Hilda and Doug
My thoughts and prayers are with you Betty in this time of sorrow. You need to think about the memories that you have made with your dad.
The first thing I ever heard about Harry Craige, before I had to the chance to meet him, was from Inez Larsen, Harry’s mother-in-law. She once told me that there were only two days out of the year that Harry wasn’t fishing: the day the ice hadn’t hardened enough to go ice fishing and the day the ice hadn’t melted enough to fish any other way. Although Harry seemed like a quiet fellow, he had a funny, deadpan sense of humor. When showing me his beehives in his and Elaine’s backyard in Williams Lake, I asked him how he knew if a bee was aggressive. His response was “When it staples your shirt to your ass!” It was one-liners like that that made Harry a special fellow. I appreciated knowing him, and I know he will be sorely missed. With my deepest sympathies for the great loss the family is feeling at this time, Suzanne M. Larsen (Luxembourg, Luxembourg).
Elaine and family, I am saddened by the news of Harry’s passing. May God give you the strength to get through this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Although I don’t remember Harry too well from our childhood, I always thought of him fondly.
My Condolences,
It was with great sadness that I received the news about Harry (my Uncle’s) passing. He was a great person that I looked up to and enjoyed spending time with. For me it started as a kid running around my Aunt and Uncle’s house eating the great food that was always so plentiful and it ended up in a good lifelong friendship. There are so many memories that I will never forget. I remember having a glass of beer and tomato juice in the mornings with him. I recall the first time he poured me one, I thought.. ok I will try this. It was great. I told my Uncle, “you know this is darn good” and he said “I know and I’ve known that for 30 years”. He had a great demeanor about him. Sort of quiet but with a great sense of humor, he loved a good laugh. He was extremely well read and was very intelligent person that was well informed on almost any topic. My mother use to comment on how well read Uncle Harry was. I was also lucky to share his love of the out doors with some fishing and camping trips together. We always caught fish and we always had fun.
I will miss my Uncle and will carry the memories forever.
Derek
I am saddened to hear of your loss. I will always remeber Harry. Condolences to you, Elaine and your whole family.
Elaine, Betty and Dale, I am so sorry for your loss my thoughts are with you. Lani
Our condolences to Elaine and family.
Sending our condolances to Harry’s family i met you in williams lake fishing . keep on fishing harry …. until we meet again .
Dear Elaine and family,
It was a very sad morning today when I arrived to work and heard of Harry’s passing.
Harry was a kind, funny and very intelligent man who brightened our pub every afternoon.
May your fond memories keep you strong during this difficult time. Deepest condolences from myself and all of us at Mickie’s Pub.
Sincerely,
Katja Oldendorf
Elaine and Family; Sorry to hear about Harry.
Elaine,Dale,Betty and families. Harry was a very fine person.A delight to have in the Pub,always!
Jenny and your family,
May the love of family and friends around you along with the sharing of happy memories, help you through this sad time. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
Elaine, I was so sorry to hear of Harry’s passing. I have so many fond memories of time spent with Harry. I remember many long conversations about so many different topics fueled by his wide reading interests. And who could forget all the many camping “adventures” we shared? I’m sure there wasn’t a backroad (or almost road) in the whole Cariboo region that Harry hadn’t explored. It was a privilege to have shared some of those trips with the two of you. I hope you are surrounded by family and friends to help ease you through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Deepest condolences, Nanci
Dearest Elaine and family,
We cherish the fun and rich memories of dear Harry who was a person so much larger than life to our family.
He was not only so caring, generous, thoughtful and cool but tall, handsome, smart and simply awesome.
We were very lucky to be able to spend so much time with him. During 26 years we followed them to the ocean fishing/camping,we ate buckets and buckets of clams, all shapes of fish, lots of shrimps and crabs coming out of our ears because of Elaine and Harry.
I remember the time I asked Harry if we could catch sea cucumbers? He led us to the spot and caught a few, Elaine and Toshi did only look at us with somewhat strangely, and we ate. And I saw him saying to Toshi later ” Hey, where did you find her ?” with his mischievous big grin just like the posted photo of him.
Thank you and Harry for the love and all those great memories. We will forever honor the spirit of Harry who meant so much not only to us but to so many.
We will miss him so very much and we share you and your families of pain forever.
With lots of love,
Tomiko, Toshi & family
Elaine, our thoughts are with you. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Dear Elaine and family.
We are saddened by your loss. I was one of many fortunate people who shared time with Harry on the job, on water and in the bush. Harry was a colourful and unique individual. He was a gentleman, concerned about his employees, faithful to his friends, and extremely loyal to his family. He was fun to be around and his characteristic chuckle and smile are unforgettable, as are so many shared experiences. Harry lived his life to the full, an example to us all, and he made others’ lives fuller as well. It was an honour to have known this remarkable man.
Dick and Lynn Zandee
Duncan, BC
Dear Elaine and family,
Gil and I are so sorry to hear of Harry’s passing, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time, Hold dear all your sweet memories of time shared with Harry , Our deepest condolences. Gil and Pat , Calgary AB
Condolences to Aunty Elaine and family. I have fond memories of uncle Harry while growing up. I remember your visits to Grandma & Grandad’s in Dewberry and stopping to visit mom and dad. I enjoyed listening to uncle Harry’s stories about fishing and hunting. I remember a time he brought us some smoked trout. The best thing I ever tasted! Jan and I enjoyed our visit while we were in Penticton. Lots of fond memories and he will be missed. Cal & Janice McGuckin
Sincere condolences to aunty Elaine and family. I have fond memories of uncle Harry. I remember the visits to Dewberry when he stopped in to visit mom and dad in Clandonald. I always enjoyed the stories about his fishing and hunting escapades. I especially remember a time when he brought us some smoked trout that he had done – the best I have ever had! Jan and I enjoyed our visit when we were last in Penticton. Fond memories and he will be missed. Cal & Janice McGuckin
Dear Elaine, Dale, Betty and family,
We were all saddened to hear of Harry’s passing.
Thinking back to my childhood, I was surprised at how many memories of Harry came back to me. And of how strong those memories were.
Things like camping, fishing and fishing derbys, bee hives, hunting and stories of Harry’s adventures Dad told us around the dinner table.
I’m sure that Dad, Mum and Andy have so much more they could add!
Harry was a man of character.
He will be deeply missed by us.
Ron, Jean, John and Andy
Dear Elaine and family
So sorry to read of your loss. our thoughts are with you at this time.Memories came back to Norm of earlier
years in Salmo..
Norm & Edna-May Myhre
Elaine, Betty, Dale and Jenny and families. So very sorry to read of your loss. My memories of Harry seem to be centered on the Comer Station, Company parties and fishing. It always amazed me how many steelhead Harry could fit into one line on his licence on the Chilcotin River, amazing!! And of course I will never forget Bella Coola in the fall and meeting at close quarters with the Grizzly, “together we stood, and pretended to be brave,then went for a beer or more!” Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time. John and Charleen.
Dear Elaine and Family: Sorry to learn of Harry’s death. He was a lot of fun to fish with. Kokanee fishing is not the same without Harry on the ice.
Tight lines Harry and there are no limits in the great beyond.
It is with Heavy Hearts that we are sending condolences your way. We just learned of Harry’s passing and are very sad indeed. Your Family has always been a Great Blessing to my Parents (Walter and Patricia) for many years. Once again, we are very sorry for your loss.
The Thompson Family from Williams Lake, BC.