John Edward Craig Jr. ’53

Ed died June 6, 2019, at home in Tryon, N.C.

He was born in Great Neck, N.Y., and graduated from the Lawrenceville School. At Princeton Ed majored in history and wrote his thesis on “Free Masonry in Colonial America.” He was a cheerleader for four years and created the role of the Princeton Tiger. He was also on the swim team and was captain of the team in his senior year.

After graduation Ed joined the Navy as a naval aviator and served in Hawaii, California, and Florida, as well as Vietnam. He closed out that phase of his life as commanding officer of VA-83, a light attack jet squadron.

Following his military career, Ed spent 30 years as a financial planner with First Command, serving military families. In this phase of his career he also found time to take part in community events as senior warden of his parish church and a member of the local community board of directors. This phase was divided almost equally between first Gibson Island, Md., and then Mildenhall, England.

Reassigned to Fort Tryon, N.C., Ed stayed in that community after retiring, becoming again involved in the local parish of the Episcopal Church and serving as president of the Rotary Club and vice president of the swim club.

Ed was predeceased by his wife, Shirley. He is survived by four children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.