Lawrence Craig Obituary

When I heard of Fr. Lawrence Craig it was from my mom she said he was a good man and would celebrate mass at assumption Bvm my home parish with another priest named Fr. David. My mom told me she knew Fr. Lawrence and was good friends with him and he was a funny guy but then I thought to myself "I would have known him very well if he was still in this world and if the parish did not close down" but I wasn´t born at the time he was alive but the sad part is when I asked my mom "how did he pass away?" she said "he just fell asleep and never woke up again" that immediately strikes me knowing how heartbreaking people were when they found out about him passing away but it´s nice how the parish has a tribute about him next to the taller de José and a picture of him but I will pay my respects and say that he will be looking after the people he most loved and cared about. Rest in peace Fr. Lawrence Craig you will be missed.

Fr. Larry,

It was too soon that He needed you, I always thought I would know when I should stop. Life will not be the same - one man, one priest, one mentor, one boss, one friend, yes all these in one person YOU.

Who will fill your shoes, who will fill your shoes. It will be hard for only one man to do what you did, have the faith so deep that at an early age you were helping the kids in Audy. Oh lets not forget the fact that Assumption stayed open because of you (yes you who were so smart and willing to keep these people in God's temple). You shined, but did all of us know this? I, we are greatful for that. Even those who have now gone before you.

You made us aware of those who were/are incarcerated -- KOLBE HOUSE. I learned how you cared for those in an unjust world.

Then there were the homeless. You feed them from your pocket. Gave them money for prescriptions, tried to get them into some safe dwellings, even if it was for a night.

And, you pursued the grants to help the neediest of your flock. They needed money for rent, gas, electricity. Oh that's not all--you even found how to replenish the tiny food dispensary for whoever needed food and even baby diapers, and you made it clear they should get healthy foods.

YES, we will all miss you, as we keep your ideas going - you made us aware of our strengths -- now we must call on them to keep us growing from your hard work. YES, you will be missed.

You taught us prayers should be part of our being. So we pray for you now and always and I send the deepest of sympathy to your family. Thank you Marie Craig for having, Fr. Larry.

Til we meet in God's kingdom. THANK YOU.

Fr. Larry was a holy man who led an ascetic lifestyle. When he succeeded Fr. Spitkovsky as pastor of Assumption in 1984, he learned to say the Mass in Slovak so he could offer a weekly Slovak/English Mass for the older Slovak-American parishioners, who had founded the parish in 1903. Our fraternal lodge, the Assumption of the BVM Society, Branch #493 of the First Catholic Slovak Union, makes an annual donation to Kolbe House. Fr. Larry trudged on when the archdiocese cut Kolbe House's susbsidy by 60% in 2005. I pray that Assumption parish and Kolbe House will continue in his absence.

I remember that back in 1973 that Fr. Craig celebrated his First Mass at St. Gerard Majella in Markham. I was part of the Children's Choir, and I was in the 8th grade. I thought when he celebrated his First Mass, he was so cool!! Although I never saw him after that, I always heard about the wonderful things he did for people!! My prayers are out to his family.

I was shocked and saddened by the news of Reverend Craig's untimely passing. Ten years ago I met Fr. Craig at my Chicago parish - St. Michael's of Old Town. He was a guest speaker during Theology on Tap. During intermission, I noticed he was standing all alone and decided to welcome him to our parish and make some small talk. Well, you can imagine our mutual surprise when we discoverd that both of us were very familiar with St. Gerard Parish in Markham. He had grown up in the parish and I had attended Mass there many times as a child with my Aunt Dolores and cousin Jan Vock. He commented with enthusiasm that I was the first person in Chicago he had ever met who had ever HEARD of St. Gerard's! We had a good laugh. In the past ten years I have tried to be supportive of his ministry at Kolbe House. He had a true gift for the jail ministry and will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace. My sincere condolences to his family.

I was honored to know larry throughout his stay at St. Sylvester parish. The rectory was immediately next to the apartment building I lived in and we would all hop the fence to get into the parish gym for basketball. Fr. Larry was the de facto youth minister; stand up guy, great priest, and wonderful role model and leader. His passion for the underserved was evident back then. His passing is a great loss for the chruch and an enduring sadness for all of us influenced by his earthy charisma

God blessed me, for he placed a venerable, and virtous man in my life. Father Lawrence Craig inspired visceral emotion in the lives that he touched; emotions that moved men to aspire for rightous change. Moreover, Father Craig instilled in men a genuine sense of compassion. He treated everyone with equel respect and dignity. When the poorest man and the wealthiest man arrived at Father Craig's door, they sat and ate together.



Many a time, Father Lawrence Craig lent me his ear. His words, his actions, his spirit moved me.



Father Craig may have entered life everlasting, but his sagacious spirit will remain forever vibrant on this earth.



Thank you for God for placing Father Craig in my life, and thank you Father Craig for embracing me and calling me your brother. I will honor your life evermore by upholding your values.

I grew up and went to grade school with Father Larry. Of course he wasn't a priest then. He lived on the next block, and I could see his house from my house. I also knew his brother Bob, who was a good friend of my brother Paul. I had a real crush on him in those days. He was always a special person and talked of becoming a priest like his brother someday. Unfortunately, I never knew him as a man. From reading the other entries,I can see that he left an eternal mark on this world by doing God's work and will be sorely missed.I was deeply saddened to hear of his untimely passing. My sincere condolences to his family.

Father Craig, Thank You for everything you did for my family, even thou I am grateful & honored to have known you for 30 years, it only seems like a brief moment. I will always remeber the thing you thought me by the way you lived your life and try to use the knowledge everyday.

PS:

Please keep an eye on us at Assumption from up there, so that we may continue the work you so elegantly did here.



Miss You Already

When I heard of Fr. Larry's passing it brought back some fond memories. He, along with three other seminarians, taught religion class at Carmel High School for Girls. I'm sure he wouldn't remember me, but I will always remember him as the priest who taught a group of high school girls that being a follower of Jesus was "cool". He truly made a difference in many people's lives. I saw Jesus in him.

I was deeply sadden when I heard that Fr. Larry had died. God Bless him and his family. May he rest in peace.

We were deeply sadden when we were told of Father Larry's death. I've known him since I was a child. My husband and I got married, baptized my children and my oldest made her first communion in Assumption. He always had a smile for everyone and knew everyone by their names, which I found amazing. He was very devoted to his parish, to his people and to helping anyone that would ask for help. We had the priviledge to volunteer and share memories with Fr. Larry that will last for ever. We are so far away but our memories and prayers will reach his family and the family in Assumption. God Bless him for all that he did and hope that Assumption will continue his legacy. We will truly miss him.

Rest in Peace Father Craig. I knew you from St. Sylvester in Chicago Illinois. You were warm and lovable.

Im saddened about this news. I met Father Craig when I was 10 years about 23 years ago in 1983 at Providence of God as a student for the 6 grade under Ms. Nasko. We started calling him the "hippie" priest due to his unique haistyle. He stood out honorably. It was an honor serving as an altar boy along side him during that time and receiving the look of frustration when I rang the Communion bells too early during mass. Father Craig, taught us the birds and the bees which was unheard of and strange coming from a priest. However in that time it was cool. He was our swimming instructor, basketball coach along side his friend Jack. As a treat to our hard work and success, Father Craig took the entire team to see The Christmas Carol Scrooge play in downtown Chicago. He mentored us in the hardships of facing life's challenges as we approached our teenage years and how to avoid trouble and not fall into a trap of doom. I wish I could turn time back for a few years to catch up on old times and show him how we made it in life thanks to his early guidance. He was the only priest I knew that rarely wore shoes and walked barefoot or with sandals most of the time all year round. He buried a lot of my friends over the years as early as grammar school friends who didnt make it past the age of 21. He was a sheppard, and I am grateful to have been one of his early sheep when the flocks were small. Now the flocks have multiplied in numerous numbers and losing count. God Bless you and rest in peace till we meet again. Salvador Medina

Larry made a big difference to many in his life. I will miss him.



(Quigley South classmate, 1961-65)

Father Larry may God hold you in the palm of his hand



Deacon Jack & Mary Malone

For over 25 years, I have had the good fortune and blessing of knowing Fr. Larry. I first met him while serving as Chairman of St. Raphael’s Service Ministry in Naperville. At the time, we had a program at the Illinois Youth Center and when I was searching for a priest to help get masses in place there, I was given his name and thus our friendship began. Over the years I have come to know Fr. Larry while working on many, many projects together and I can attest to the great priest that he was. If ever one was seeking a true example of Christ on earth, they need only to know Fr. Larry. He was truly a shepherd to his flock, guiding them, loving them and caring for them. He believed in forgiveness and went to great lengths to instill that in the hearts of his people. He always put others needs and cares before his own–the door to his rectory was always open and no one was ever turned away no matter what time of the day or night. He could always make me laugh with his wit and humor; and while I am so terribly sadden by his passing and will miss him dearly, I know that he is now reaping the fruits of his labors with the Lord. I know Fr. Larry will not be forgotten because he will live through all of his wonderful works and in the hundreds and hundreds of hearts of those he has touched. My condolences to his family, friends and the parishioners of Assumption.

Fr. Larry will be deeply missed by his Assumption family. He was a true Sheppard, who knew how to lead the many different types of sheep to drink from the waters of the Living God. My family and I will miss his Sunday sermons, his quick wit and his gentle guidance. He was one of a kind. Farewell to our Pastor, Mentor, but most importantly our Friend...until we meet again in the heavenly palaces to celebrate life everlasting!

Father Larry was a very special priest, the way he would always call each one by name, when he said good bye at the end of mass. Bless you Father for all the great memories.

Our depest sympathies to his family, and assumption family for such great loss.

I knew Larry professionally as his CPA for the last several years.But more then that,I became a supporter of Kolbe House through meeting him, and always looked forward to seeing him each year.We had a bond as I am a Harrison ALum so the school being across the street from the church, was always part of my youthful memory.Larry was one of the most dedicated priests I ever met, and his passing is a great shock.His work deserves more then the small obituary that appears, for his many years of service should be heralded.I will miss him as much as his parishners and the people he ministered to that are incarerated.I am just greatful that God had larry enter my life so I could meet someone as wonderful as he was.I know there is a special place in heaven for him, with our Lord who has to say as he entered"Thank You Good and Faithful Servaint, now you can rest."

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY GOES TO THE FAMILY. IT WAS A SHOCK WHEN WE SAW HIS NAME IN THE PAPER TODAY.WE WILL MISSED HIM DEARLY. HE WAS A NICE PRIEST. HE DID EVERYTHING TO KEEP ASSUMPTION GOING WITH THE KOLBE HOUSE TOO.

MRS. EMILY D. RISA & KATHY RISA

My family and I were blessed to have this spiritual, giving and funny man in our lives. We shared many milestones with him. He baptized me over 31 years ago and was the officiant at both my parents and my husband and I's weddings. I treasure every moment we had with him and he will be greatly missed. God bless.

Larry was one of our valued supervisors at Mundelein Seminary. I was privileged to work with him. On last Wed. night, we spoke for over half an hour by phone, and I will treasure the memory of that conversation. I am out of town right now, but want the familoy to know I am united with you in thought and prayer.

May the Lord hold you in his hands and comfort your spirit during your time of need.

Dorrismae Murgatroyd (Brooks)

Ten years ago this week Fr. Larry took a chance and hired me for my first job in church ministry. I was very privileged to work for him and to have him as my field work supervisor in my M.Div. studies. Fr. Craig had a life-long vision of justice that was breathtaking and inspiring to us all. He also had a wonderful sense of irony and humor. There are so many people who were placed on the right track by him. I loved to hear the stories of his work at Audy Home, when he was seminarian, and how he was stranded on the west side after Dr. King was assassinated and how, on the eve of his ordination, Cardinal Cody wanted him to cut his hair! It had been a long time since I had had a boss (male or female) with longer hair than I had, but Fr. Larry did. He was wonderful with the religious education children and with all children. He didn't only see "the big picture" ----his kindnesses extended to individuals and families that he continued to help and mentor and "father" from the earliest days of his priesthood. In the mid-1990's there was a young beareded man who roamed the city, dressed in a long robes,with a crown of thorns on his head and carrying a cross.He would show up at outdoor masses or religious gatherings and festivals and many times people would call the police. But not Fr. Larry ---this man, like so many others, was welcome at Assumption. Among Fr. Craig's gifts was his marvelous singing voice: I remember his singing "Day By Day" and the Eucharistic Prayer at his 25th anniversary Mass ---an outdoor liturgy facing the street, amazing in its holiness and its grittiness --just like him. May his loved ones (and they number in the thousands!) be comforted and may his memory be a blessing to us all. ---Kate Kinser

I met this wonderful "Hippie" Priest in 1981 when I was pregnant and unmarried. He showed me that even I was important in Gods' eyes. That forgiveness was mine for the asking. He counseled me and made clear the true light of Gods' unconditional love for me. I took my first Holy Communion and then was Confirmed. I know this wonderful man is in Heaven and loving it! I will always admire him and I will miss him.

Me and my family know father larry from assumpton,He married me and my wife and babtized my 2 dauthers.

He will be greatly missed,

father larry will be in are hearts and prayers.

While I was not a member of Assumption, my experience with Fr. Craig was from going to 5p.m. mass on Saturday. He was a friendly and gracious person to everyone in the church. The suddeness of his passing is still shocking. May God bless his family,friends, those helped by him in the neighborhood and the parish community.We should pray that whoever takes over Assumption will be a great leader and continue to lead the parish community in holiness and service to one another.

It is with heavy heart that I write today. Larry will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by his classmates, his parishioners and the many he helped with the Kolbe House. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone's life that Larry so unselfishly touched.

I'm deeply saddened of the passing of Fr. Craig, he will be greatly missed, I've knew from Assumption BVM. I know for a fact that my family is going to truly miss him.

Father Larry was a very special priest, the way he would always call each one by name, at communion time, when he put ashes on us, when he said good bye at the end of mass, he knew how to reach out to us, we loved him and that is why although we no longer lived in the area we continued to come for mass at Assumption, blessed you father for all the good memories.

Our depest sympathies to his family, and assumption family for such great loss. He will be in our hearts forever.

I met Father Craig this past year at his high school reunion at Quigley. I was a student then, graduated this year, and he was such a funny and nice person. I then met him again in the spring, when he was a speaker at our Ash Wednesday retreat. The Archdiocese really lost a great priest. Requiescant in pace. My condolences to the family and friends of Father Larry.

It is with sadness to hear of the passing of Father Craig. His arrival at Providence of God in Pilsen was a breath of fresh air and made Sunday mass a great place to be amoung friends and family. We will forever remember him in our hearts.

In My Pocket

I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.

My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.

They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.

Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.

But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.

Father Craig was a wonderful human being. He was truly a light within the world. My family has known him since his days at Quigley. He was a joy to us all. I am glad this loving soul was in the world with us.

Elaine Gregory Swenson

I was saddened to hear of Larry's passing. I remember him as a fine man from my days at Quigley. My sympathies to the family.

Back in 1985 my sister Wilma Rodriguez called me and said we had to go back to our old parish and see the new "Hippie" priest, Father Craig. We went, we heard and we fell in love with him! His sermons were the best, we will miss them and of course his language skills in spanish were "de maravilla". Hasta La Vista Padre Craig!!!!

To all the friends and colleagues of Larry, my deepest sympathy. I worked at Kolbe House, along with Sr Miriam and Deacon James Morgan (may they rest in peace). Larry was always full of energy, deep spirituality, and a great advocate for the prisoners and for juveniles. He was also a caring pastor of Assumption. May God continue to bless his ministry and may his life continue to inspire others to pray with the men, women, and children of Cook County's detention centers.

Father Larry will be missed at every Mass in our Parish. He possessed the ability to make you feel "special" by always acknowleding you by name. His hard work in his prison ministries and in our Church will live forever. May God give him the reward we all know he is enjoying. We'll miss you Father, and thanks for all of the memories! Always know you made a difference in our lives! A lifelong parishioner of Assumption Church of BVM.

With prayers and condolences, remembering the ministry in Humboldt Park and Little Village. Que en paz descanse

Larry was an inspiration to me when I was at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary working at Precious Blood Parish as a clinical intern. His devotion to prison ministry moved me to work harder with inner city youth. His fervor for Beatitudinal service inspired me to change my course of studies and study criminal law. Thank you Lord for this wonderful sojourner.

It was with deep sadness that I heard of Larry's passing. May his ability to see Christ in those whom he served, especially those in prison, be the vision that he now embraces to its fullest where he now sees God in the glory that is truly God's and may Larry become as God told us we would.