(Alan) Craig Siegfried passed peacefully on Sunday, March 9, 2025, with Wendy and Christopher by his side. He lived a hope-filled year and a half with cancer and did so with courage and acceptance.
Craig was born on July 13, 1956, to Olive and Sam Siegfried and was welcomed home by his three older brothers and a sister. A younger sister later completed this family of 6 siblings. Craig’s younger years were spent emulating his older brothers, teasing his little sister, and chumming with best friend Mike. As a young adult, he began his lifelong career at what was then Great Lakes Paper Mill. While the name of the company changed many times, Craig was always a diligent worker and retired as a crew leader in the finishing room.
Craig was a single father to Christopher and the two at times grew up together, sharing many special occasions and happy moments with each other. Craig was most proud to be called Grampa with the arrival of his grandson Cole, whom he loved dearly. Craig met Wendy in 1997 when they were introduced at a shag. What started as friendship, blossomed later into love and was celebrated with an epic wedding at Silver Islet in the summer of 2006. Craig and Wendy shared a love for English Bull Dogs - Craig’s two faithful buddies, Fonzie and Henry, now reunited with him in heaven, and of course Bart, who has been Craig’s constant companion over the last year.
Craig spent the majority of his summers at camp at Silver Islet. He built two personal cabins and assisted his parents and siblings in building their camps. He hosted the Annual Siegfried Bingos at the pavilion with his brothers Rick, Brian, and Frank and often helped out with movie selection for the S. I. Fall Film Festivals. Craig was a frequent visitor to the S. I. General Store, whether having coffee and conversation with friends or challenging his brother Rick to a weekly backgammon match.
Everyone who knew Craig knew he loved to go thrifting, he called the various thrift stores in town, his ‘trap-line’ and he was forever bringing home stuff! Stuff to give to other people to solve their simple dilemmas, obscure stuff that he challenged people to know what it was and of course, lots of stuff for himself - as his bulging garage will attest to.
While Craig was a homebody he also enjoyed traveling, including motor and air trips to the US and Mexico, and overseas trips with family to Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, and China, creating many fun-filled and amazing experiences that Craig loved to reminisce about.
Craig loved cards and games of any kind. He was raised on cribbage and had a weekly Monday night poker group that he attended with his brother Rick. He was always up for any family gathering and loved to laugh. He called the Siegfrieds a club with all of us its members, and he counted himself lucky to be a part of it because, to Craig, family was everything.
Craig’s wants were simple, a walk with his dogs, a hike or bike ride, a good movie or TV show, delicious food, a slice of pumpkin pie, and of course family or friends to enjoy it all with. Craig loved to talk and had the amazing ability to take a short story and make it very long! He was an active member of the 55 Plus Centre, where he shot many great pool games, and was the convener of the Pool room, as well as attending art classes, guitar lessons and playing pickle ball, even winning a championship title with his brother-in-law Jerry.
Craig was predeceased by his parents, Olive and Samuel Siegfried, his oldest brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Mary Siegfried, and his brother-in-law, Jerry Capon. Mother-in-law Kathy Jaun (Leo). He is survived by his wife Wendy Jaun, stepson Rudy, his son Christopher (Becky), and grandson Cole. His sisters Donna Capon and Lisa Crispino (Frank) and older brothers Brian (Linda) and Richard (Sheila). His father-in-law Rudy Jaun, sisters-in-law Debbie, Bonnie (Angelica), brother-in-law Peter (Aimee), and many nieces and nephews as well.
Dear Craig, We all collectively wish that you were still with us, you were the epitome of kindness, generosity, and unconditional love, forever the peacemaker, qualities we all aspire to be. You were always willing to help whenever asked and you brought laughter to any situation, often over things you yourself would say or do! We couldn’t have asked for a better husband, father, grandfather, brother or friend than you! Your memory will live on forever in all of us who knew and love you still.
Close friends and family are welcome to attend a small celebration of Craig’s life. Join us at Café Ora, located at 30 Cumberland Street South, between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm on March 28th, 2025, to celebrate Craig's life and remember the joy he brought to us. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Craig's memory to Roots Community Food Centre, in support of the Seniors meal programs, which Craig frequented and made many new and lasting friendships. The link to Roots is rootstoharvest.kindful.com.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.
