HARVEY CRAIG

HARVEY Craig, one of our elders, died suddenly but peacefully in the Monklands Hospital with his family around him on Friday the 20th April 2001.

HARVEY was ordained to the eldership in Dunbeth Church in 1957 and, though not our senior elder, was our oldest elder and at 89 years of age still had an elder’s district which he not only visited faithfully but nurtured in his own meticulous way, sending Christmas cards to every household and knowing his people.

As a young man HARVEY entered the family printing business, starting at the bottom rung of the ladder and learning every aspect of the printing trade which included a period of study at college in Leeds. On the outbreak of the Second World War HARVEY joined the army as a private soldier but his ability marked him out and by the end of the war, having served in a number of regiments he had gained the rank of major. After his war his military service was continued in the Territorial Army and he became commanding officer of the REME Corps with depots at Coatdyke and Dumbarton with the rank of Lt. Colonel.

HARVEY was a supporter of the Erskine Hospital and because of this and his military service he was a logical choice to be in charge of the local Poppy Appeal. With the assistance of his wife Jean, his organisational skills and attention to detail the success of this annual appeal for the Earl Haig Fund was assured. It was only in this last year that HARVEY sought the willing assistance of Alex McKee.

He was a man of many interests. He was a musician who played the saxophone and clarinet and had his own dance band. He was a keen Scout and was involved with scouting to the end. He enjoyed his caravan at Oban and had just completed preparing it for the season. He was an active Rotarian enjoying the fellowship and friendship which Rotary International offered. But all of this took second place to his family to whom he was devoted as they were to him.

Here especially we remember HARVEY’s love for his church which was a central part of his life and it was entirely fitting that we sang his favourite hymn, the communion psalm Ye gates lift up your heads on high at his funeral on Friday. Today we give thanks for a life of faith and for a life of service to Christ and his church. He was our oldest elder whose diligence belied his age.