Craig A. Pratt, 54, of Bristol, died on May 18 at Miles Memorial Hospital after a year long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born Aug. 10, 1951 in Greenfield, Mass., the son of Leonard and Florence Pratt.
He graduated from Greenfield High School and attended the University of Michigan.
Craig married his wife of 32 years, Deborah Talbot Pratt in 1973; they have three daughters, Amelia, Jilian, and Julia and a grandson Shaun.
For Craig, it was all about family and friends. Frequent trips to the home of grandparents and friends, as well as picnics, hiking, camping, beach trips and canoeing. Craig, Debby and the children also took more extended trips to Florida, Canada and Colorado; and then there were the constant visits of friends and family for dinners, barbeques and socializing.
A lifelong sailor and outdoorsman, Craig sailed, raced and cruised many different classes of sailboats, starting when he was eight years old. He had considerable success in the Lightning class, in which he both skippered and crewed, winning many local and New England regattas. In 1968, he sailed with his sister Bonnie Shore and brother-in-law when they placed 5th in the Lightning North American Championships sailed in Chicago. Later, sailing with his wife Debby, and Amelia, Jilian and Julia, they were frequently found cruising Maine waters, or with Debby’s parents, Alice and Bob Talbot, around Cape Cod and the islands.
Craig and Debby built their home in Bristol on a beautiful, grassy field, which they purchased from Linwood Young in 1974. The home was expanded with the help of family and friends over the years, graced with flowers and a large garden which Debby and Craig maintained.
In addition to sailing, Craig was an accomplished skier. He was a ski instructor at Round Top Mountain in Plymouth, Vt., and even after he was diagnosed with cancer, he often skied with family members or on his own at the Camden Snow Bowl, Mt. Abrams and Sunday River. He also took up kayaking, and could be seen on Bristol’s rivers and inlets.
Craig enjoyed a variety of careers, most recently working at Masters Machine Company. While his woodworking and carpentry skills led to positions in homebuilding and cabinetmaking, his love of the sea often resulted in jobs on or around the water. Craig worked on a lobster boat, as well as shrimped and scalloped with his long-time friend, Jeff Kellett. He also worked on boats and ships at Brewer’s Boat Yard, Paul Luke’s Boat Yard, Lincoln Canoe, and Bath Iron Works.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah Pratt of Bristol; three daughters, Amelia Levasseur and son Shaun of Bristol, Jilian Pratt and her significant other, Frank Noriega of Humble, Tex., and Julia Pratt of Bristol; two sisters, Joy Pratt of Colchester, Vt. and Bonnie Shore of Durango, Col.; brother, Rob Pratt and wife Vickie Brennan of Wayland, Mass.; beloved mother-in-law, Alice Talbot of Groveland, Mass.; sisters-in-law, Barbara Griffin and husband John Griffin of Harvey Albert County, New Brunswick and Carol Barron and husband David Stickney of Newbury, Mass.; and six nieces and nephews.
Memorial service 1 p.m., Thurs., May 25 at the Harrington Meeting House, 278 Old Harrington Rd., Bristol.
The family greatly appreciates all the assistance and support of the Masters of Masters Machine Co. during Craig’s illness. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Richard Polkinghorn and Dr. Allan Teel, as well as the staff at MidCoast Hospital and Miles Memorial Hospital for their care of Craig and family members during his recent illness.
Arrangements are entrusted to Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
