Family, community and contributing to his profession were important to Don Craig. He lived his life with commitment, generosity and a gentle pervasive humour that earned him the respect and friendship of all who knew him.
Don was the middle of three children of Christine and Gordon Craig. “A nice boy, but will never go far academically,” his public-school teacher said. But when Don wrote his final chartered accountancy exams in 1975, he ranked third in Ontario and in the top 20 in Canada.
Happiest when busy and faced with a challenge, Don was a natural leader. He spent his entire career with Deloitte & Touche, joining in 1974 after graduating from the University of Waterloo. To his colleagues, Don was a friend, mentor and incredible teacher remembered for his keen intelligence and his infectious wit. Don was larger than life and not afraid to have some fun, even if he had to wear unusual attire to do it. At one of the Deloitte partner meetings, Don was filmed in a Superman suit. Creating a stir to raise morale and rally the troops did not deter him even if it meant he looked ridiculous.
A tireless community worker in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont., since 1977, Don served as national president of the Jaycees and president of Oktoberfest, and helped to mastermind successful election campaigns for Conservative MPP Elizabeth Witmer and MP Walter McLean. Don was honoured as K-W Citizen of the Year in 1994, given a Macdonald-Cartier achievement award in 1989 and was one of the youngest to be elected a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.
Above all, Don cherished his family and friends. He met and fell in love with Marilyn at university, and they were married in 1976. Their two children, David and Donna, were a constant joy and he was enormously proud of their accomplishments. When Don was too ill to attend Donna's wedding just 12 days before his death, his sense of humour prevailed when he sent the message, “Make sure you tell everyone that the real reason I am not there is because I didn't get a ‘save the date' card!”
Don always made time for family events. He and Marilyn carved time out every week for Sunday dinner with his mother and extended family. He always ensured that the family home was appointed with a large bouquet of fresh flowers. Saturday morning would find him in the company of his best friend, Jack Bishop, either swinging golf clubs or sipping coffee at Tim Hortons.
Don touched many lives. He will long be remembered for the legacy he leaves in the accounting profession, in the community and especially with his family.
Peggy Poulter is Donald's sister.
