Obituary for
David Craig
CRAIG, DAVID MCLEOD December 23, 1941-October 9, 2018
Passed away suddenly at home in Port Hope in his 77th year. He was raised in Woodstock, N.B. where the opening of CJCJ in his final year of high school allowed him to explore what would become lifetime passions, broadcasting and music. He started as a Farm Editor, Rock and Roll DJ, Newsman and yes, even swept the floors.
Knowing radio would be his future, David enrolled in the Ryerson Radio and Television Arts Program. Upon graduation, he worked in Smiths Falls, Fredericton, St. John and Sydney where he also hosted « Saturday Dance Party », set up the first TV newsroom at CJCB, and played trumpet and percussion in various militia bands. From there he worked in Sault Ste. Marie and Hamilton which led him to CFRB in Toronto where he worked in the Gordon Sinclair years doing morning news. He took a year off to be the Public Relations Officer with the Anglican Church of Canada, then to London where he was the « Morning Man » and News Director at CKSL. David had a Queen’s Commission in Music from the Canadian Department of Defense and was Bandmaster of the 4th Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment. He taught a course in Instructional Band at Fanshawe College and later at Centennial College. He returned to CFRB as the Queens Park Correspondent. During that time he directed the Oakville Concert Band, and founded the Markham Concert Band, the largest community band in Canada. He moved on to CJEZ for five years, followed by a position as the first News Director at 680 News. He also hosted « The Band Show » at 1280 in Oakville where he played big band and concert band music from his extensive collections. David finished his broadcasting career at Classical 96FM, CHUC and STAR FM in Cobourg and also did weekend work at CBC RADIO Toronto.
David was a member of the Canadian Band Directors Association for many years. In the 1980’s and 90’s he taught Broadcast Journalism and Radio Production Theory at Ryerson University and Broadcast Internet Reporting and Canadian politics by use of the Internet at Seneca College at York. In 2010, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio and Television News Directors Association.
He was a great supporter of the Royal Canadian Legion and was a member in good standing_ of Branch 30, Port Hope.
David will be fondly remembered and missed by his wife, Merrilyn and her son, Seth, Barbara (daughters Jodie and Caleigh), Rayma (sons Randy and Chris), Linda Bartolone-Mio Bertolo and extended family and friends across Canada.
Cremation has taken place. Those wishing may make a memorial donation to Parkinsons Canada, The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 30, The Canadian Wildlife Federation or The Port Hope Humane Society may do so at www.rossfuneralchapel.com
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de David McLeod
Craig 1941 2018.
Décès pour la Ville: Port-Hope, Province: Ontario
