Jay Jerome Craig

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure You are loved beyond words, missed beyond measure. 

 

Jay Craig of Princeton, New Jersey was the fifth child born to Peyton and Harriet Craig. He passed away peacefully at home on Monday November 22, 2021. 

 

Jay was educated at the Witherspoon Street School for Colored Students and attended Princeton High School where he graduated in 1948. After graduation he worked for Belle Meade Depot. Jay had a passion for film work which led to working for On Film Production as a Grip/Lighting technician, which gave him the opportunity to film commercials and documentaries. He traveled around the country filming, which was a great joy. After leaving the film industry, jay went to work for the jewish Center of Princeton as Superintendent of Building and Grounds. This was not only a job caring for a physical building, but it was one of caring for spiritual buildings as well. The family all lived there in the Bet Am Building and 'bonded with the center's rabbis and members of the congregation. We were truly blessed while there. Jay continued to keep in touch with jewish Center members long after he retired in 2004, up to former Rabbi Adam Feldman's funeral last year. 

 

After retirement jay moved to Elm Court in Princeton where he was warmly received. Most of the community knew he was not a man of big crowds, so he did not "hang out" much with other residents. But everyone who knew jay, loved him dearly. jay's response to the residents was always the same, "l'm going out with my wife or my son, Julian." We would be remiss if we did not also mention jay's life long passion for the ponies. Sydni, Julian and Frances remember attending nearly every track along the east coast. jay also loved going to the local restaurants in Princeton to meet and greet with his coffee club members. There, they would discuss local and worldwide issues, finding ways to solve the problems of the world. jay especially loved going to Panera Bread on Sunday morning where he would meet Gordon Griffin, Lou Rossi, Andy Tamasi, Anthony Simone, John Brimley, Bobby Brian, Patty and Kevin McCa­rthy and others. The fellowship for Jay was immeasurable. While visiting his daughter and her family in Evanston, he always found the nearest Panera Bread to view the customers for hours at a time. 

 

Jay also loved reading, traveling and learning new things. Such passions led to his many family outings to Bar Harbor, Maine, Lake Placid and Lake George, New York and international trips, especially to Barcelona, Spain. jay's happiest times were going to all of his son's football games at Trinity College. He became an "honorary member' of the Trinity College Football team. He never missed any of Julian's games (at home or away) and he became friends with Coach Miller and members of the team. Jay loved seeing his grand­children's various activities, graduations, recitals and plays. In addition, if anyone was near Jay more than a few minutes, they would know he loved discussing politics. Since Julian is a baseball card collector, Jay was also well known and on the scene at baseball card shows around the nation. He became a fixture to the collectors, dealers and many patrons. 

 

The greatest passion of' Jay's was to travel ANYWHERE with his son Julian. Their father and son love was a bond of togetherness that was a true love affair. Another happy moment was when Jay was able to walk his two daughters, Shelley and Sydni down the aisle at their respective weddings. 

 

Jay was a member of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church since 1943 and sang in the children's choir during the tenure of Rev. B.J. An­derson. In his last years he would say, "Frances make sure you send my dues to the church." He enjoyed coming to Mt. Pisgah when­ever services involved his family members.' 

 

Jay was predeceased by his parents and Siblings Peyton, Jr., Ruth, Anna, Gladys, Ross, Genevieve, Helen, Connie, Royal, Lloyd and Eric; his granddaughter Michelle Craig Lee; great grandson Mayson Lee. 

 

Left to cherish jay's memories and lift his legacy are his former wife Frances B. Craig who was his caregiver and his constant com­panion; two daughters Shelley Craig Howard of Princeton, NJ, Sydni Craig Nabors (Michael) of Evanston, IL; son and best friend Julian Craig of Princeton, NJ; step daughter Denise Craig of Upper Marlboro, N\U; stepson Shawn Craig of Ewing Township, NJ; grandchil­dren Keisha Craig, Spencer, Pierce and Parker Nabors; great grandchildren Taylor Lee, Taynae Lee, Chanel Craig and Armani King; a host of friends including Barbara and Lloyd Banks, Gordon and jenny Griffin, Patty and Kevin McCarthy and John Brimley; his coffee club friends and a host of others.