Donald Ames Craig , 77, of Newport died August 8, 2003, at Bel-Aire Quality Care Nursing Center in Newport, peacefully and with his family at his side. Mr. Craig was born in West Burke on March 28, 1926, to Alice Augusta Ames, a schoolteacher, and Alba Zeno Craig, a carpenter. He grew up in West Burke and attended St. Johnsbury Academy, graduating in 1945. He then attended Middlebury College for a year. He married Eunice Kathleen Young, who also grew up in West Burke, on October 23, 1948. St. Johnsbury became home where the couple raised their family. He was employed by the Ralston Purina Company for 22 years. In 1970 the family moved to Newport where he was employed by Northeast Kingdom Mental Health Services for 20 years, principally as comptroller. From 1975 to 1976 he was acting executive director and later participated in the Harvard Medical School continuing education program for mental health planners and administrators. Always surrounded by books, he was an eclectic reader and an accomplished writer. In 1987 he published AMEN - A Book of Uncommon Prayer and in 2001 A Lens Of Ice - poems and theorems. In addition he presented many papers for the Synapse Society, of which he was a longtime member. As a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship since 1964, he was involved in leadership positions and enjoyed conducting services in area churches from the many sermons he wrote. In 1961 his woodworking skills shone through when he built Tulgey Wood, a treehouse (still in use) for his children at Newark Pond. Later he crafted dollhouses for his granddaughters, so strongly built that his great-grandchild is enjoying them today. He was one who could appreciate everyday pleasures - his wife's cooking, especially the birthday chocolate pies, classical music, jack-o'-lanterns, animals (especially dogs), an occasional dry martini, a rousing game of croquet, Groundhog Day, and loons. Some of his happiest times over the past 60 years were spent enjoying family, friends, and quiet times at the family camp at Newark Pond. He will be remembered foremost as a soft-spoken man of kindness and compassion, a passionate life-long learner and patient teacher, a man of unshakable principles and quiet humor. His survivors include Eunice, his best friend and wife for 55 years; their children: Cynthia and her husband, Paul Greenwood, of Flagstaff, Arizona, Reginald and his partner, Karen Frank, of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Charles and his partner, Margo Trotier, of Burlington; grandchildren: Tammy Greenwood-Stewart and her husband, Patrick Stewart, of San Diego, California, Ceilidh Greenwood of Flagstaff, and Michael Appleby of Newport. In July Mr. Craig was able to meet his first great-grandchild, Mikaela Stewart, of San Diego. He was a special uncle to ten nieces and nephews and "brother" to Bernard and Barbara Blake of Lyndonville and Beverly Young of Gastonia, North Carolina. Also surviving are his treasured friends of many years. He was predeceased by his parents along with Arline Young, Gerald Young, Vanessa Brown, his granddaughters Miranda and Jillian Greenwood, and his dear friend James Hayford. At Mr. Craig's request, there will be no services. A gathering in celebration of his life will be announced at a later date. Should one wish, donations may be made in his memory to a charity of one's choice. "May our lives be our prayers" - Donald Ames Craig