Craig Smith (6 Jul 1977 - 24 Jun 2026)

Cousy Craig, I love you couz. I’ll always remember how you tried to keep your 8 year old (and probably very annoying) cousin happy whilst in your 30s during a family due, a tough gig when all then ‘oldies’ are mid way through a boring trivial pursuit game. Your magic, energy and love always inspired me more than you’ll know, my vow is to take that into the family that is to come always. I’ll always remember how you looked at everyone in the room and just wanted them to be happy, that’s all that that mattered to you. I love you couz, I’ll see you again one day xx

Craig joined our family as a double digit preteen, his sister 2 years younger when my brother Mark met his Mum, Karen. My brother said he cut his stepparent teeth when Craig said he entered the ‘I know everything’ stage.Mark tried hard to use the mantra ‘I was a teenage boy once’. After the divorce Craig stayed in contact with Mark and I was able to assist in a lovely conversation the two had as my brother was dying in 2021. Craig stayed in close contact with me after Mark passed making sure I was adjusting to life without Mark. The important thing I want to stress that in our family once you’re in our family, you’re family forever.

I have a thing about dragonflies and when someone passes away, a dragonfly comes and visits me. Not yet knowing that Craig had passed, I was visited the day after by a bright green and black dragonfly on my car window. It sat there for a good 5 minutes as I asked who he was and what reassurance was it providing. I actually thought it was my sister as I was petitioned by the court to present my findings on her estate.The next day Craig’s Mum contacted me to inform me of his passing. I told her about the visit of the dragonfly. She told me Craig’s Favorite color was green, like his eyes. She and I have been reassured he’s safe and now resting.

My favorite memory I have of Craig is the Christmas he was 15. I caught him and Kerry playing with my children’s presents. A little grocery store cash register, with moving belt that rolled the plastic food down to the grocery bag.

I had hoped to get to England to be by Karen’s side but probate court prevented that even though they had the audacity to postpone until next month; it was too short a notice to now make travel arrangements. My prayers are with her as she travels this uncharted course and I’ll do what Craig so nicely did for me, I’ll do the check in to help her out of the darkness for I can’t even imagine the pain of losing a child. Rest easy Craigy💔 sending love to you my sister Karen.

We had some great times together as youngsters, you had a certain way with you I think that put people at ease a truly good soul, you’ve gone and are in a much better
Place for you I know.❤️

Never going to be a moment where I don't think about you bud , I love you Man x Fly High My Man xx

I have so many great memories with you Craig. All the times at Valley Road and the new PlayStation game you would buy me each Christmas ( I used to look forward to your presents the most) I am so thankful that I got to see just a month or so ago. You had the same cheeky nature, infectious laugh and just a joy to be around. You will be missed but never forgotten. Rest Easy xx

Cousin Craig - it was not your time yet :( I remember fondly you singing "American Pie" at Grandad's wake with your guitar. The cool secret language you had with your cool girlfriend at J&Em's wedding holiday and all the magic tricks you'd blow our tiny minds with. SO pleased I saw you so recently, what a blessing.
Goodnight and God bless

I've been putting this off waiting to find the words.
They simply don't exist.

Dear Cousin Craig,

I always remember your warmth, joking nature and blue eyes.

I feel fortunate enough to have seen you only a few weeks back, with a shared conversation looking back at fond memories of Jordan and Emily’s wedding.

At family gatherings, I remember magic tricks to keep us entertained and always trying to understand how you had created such wizardry!

I also remember rocking up to Frankie & Bennys at the weekend and always being met with your kind spirit and very, very generous discounts on meals.

Rest peacefully. It doesn’t seem real. I know how missed you will be.

Hollie x

Dear Craig I can’t believe the last day in May would be last time I was in your company, you greeted me as usual with a beaming smile and twinkling eyes and made a comment to me that I will never forget. You were my eldest nephew and my wonderful page boy. The world is going to miss your sweet nature and wisdom. You made us all laugh when we last got together as the first T shirt you picked up that day to wear was grey , but un be known to you was a BART Simpson Christmas T shirt, so of course you had us all in stitches, that will always make me smile. I hope you are in the good company Craig and that you keep on smiling and twinkling ✨ until we meet again 💙💙💙💙

We were kid cousins so long ago. I have great memories exploring and having make believe adventures in nanny’s upstairs and other family events. We caught up recently as adults and I am sorry we didn’t hang out as adult cousins. See you someday and we will catch up then. Love and hugs to you Karen xoxo

Dear Craig:
Well you upped and left. It makes everyone so very sad, particularly your Mom. A parent should not have to deal with grief for a child. So we are very sad for a life cut so short. However it is evident from the messages I see here that you very much loved for the kindness and love you showed to folks. This must be very heartwarming for Mom.

You are a brilliant man with a mind like a razor evident from a young age beating me and others at chess and loving quiz time with me and Kerry. Ah Craig now I can cry. Talking to you last month brought back many of those memories not to be forgotten. And your music, I’m not a music fan but when you sang at Colin’s funeral you stopped the show and to me at the flat on Landseer Riad. Heartwarming. Thank you for that.

So as you are not decrepit or aged you can enjoy your time in the Univetse and maybe be on Mars to greet the Yanks or Chinese when they land. (whoever gets there first? If it’s Elon Musk don’t let him come back ).

I remember you arriving at the family home days old a little chubby bundle of smiles and laughter.
I remember taking you to school even though you weren’t keen and hearing all the stories of mischief from the day.
I remember you returning to England a man full of fun and eagerness and talent.
I remember your music and magic your delight when you had our attention.
I remember our time living together back at Valley Road our evenings of chat,poker and maybe a drink or two.
I remember our last meeting only weeks ago,a little older a little greyer but still you Nephew.
Craig ….i remember you xx

r i p craig you were a wonderful person caring kind and will be sadly missed😇loved serving you in king william co op .love linny X

Having only known Craig as a boy, I was thrilled to meet ‘the man’ Craig grew up to be, at a special family party recently.
I didn’t expect him to remember me, and at first he didn’t, but when we were introduced he gave me the biggest hug and got quite emotional at seeing me again after all these years.
I’ll never forget that wonderful, but all too brief, reintroduction.

From the comments I have read, Craig was a gentle, kind and much-loved man who touched the lives of others and brought happiness to many. He may have been taken too soon, but he will live on in the hearts and memories of others and is eternally loved and safe now, in God’s arms. Rest in true peace and love Craig 🙏💙