O'HAGAN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-12-12 published
Craig Andrew
O'HAGAN
By Vince BERETTA,
Friday,
December 12, 2003 - Page A28
Son, brother, twin, friend, athlete, adventure-seeker, angler,
photographer, naturalist, engineer. Born December 13, 1972 in
Brampton, Ontario Died October 17 in London, Ontario, of Burkitt's
lymphoma, aged 30.
One of a handful of truly earth-connected souls, Craig took a
leave of absence from his position as a mechanical engineer at
FAG
Bearings in Stratford, Ontario, to fill himself with the
ultimate example of what made him an unforgettable person; his
defining "thumbprint" adventure of a lifetime.This would not
be Craig's typical accomplishment. Not the run-of-the-mill northern
experience, seeking leadership skills with Outward Bound or a
dog-sled adventure or a backcountry ski experience or the thrill
of a white-water kayak or the serenity of a multiple-portage
canoe trip. Nor would it be challenging the elite ranks of competitors
at a Nordic ski, triathlon, or mountain bike race.
This was different -- a yearlong solo sojourn peregrinating around
the world. He set out just before the New Year 2003 with his
ski equipment, his excitable eyes, a heart-warmed smile, and
a calm demeanour -- all of which made it easy for him to connect
with other soul-driven people.
He began in England, Ireland and then Scotland, found his way
to the mountains of central Europe, and then Sweden, Finland
and Norway to seek more of his favourite season -- winter --
and to cross-country ski.
By March he found himself in the dangerous "no-go," Golden Triangle
region of northern Thailand near the Laos and Myanmar borders.
There he stayed with a family, assisting them to build a bamboo
house with nothing more than a hammer and a machete.
That was so Craig -- he would always take the time to remove
himself from the beaten path to touch the local culture by living
with the rural people of the land.
By May he had changed continents and landed a job at a million-acre
cattle ranch in Drysdale Station, demarcated by a building or
two in the middle of Australia. There he worked as a ranch hand
learning to fix whatever was broken with what ever they had,
and herd cattle by Jeep, often driving hundreds of dusty, bumpy
kilometres a day.
Craig was in his element when surrounded by nature and interacting
with people and the planet. He captured this in his near-professional
photography and various e-mails to his parents Mike and Mary,
his brother Jeff, his twin sister Kelly and a large contingent
of fortunate Craig-following Friends and relatives.
In the middle of June Craig fell ill and
by July he would be
airlifted to a Darwin, Australia, hospital where doctors discovered
a rare and aggressive cancer; this would become Craig's next
challenge.
He was flown home to fight with great optimism and never once
asked "Why me?" Craig approached this like the rest of his life
he let his heart lead him and he never attached himself to
an outcome. This allowed him to instinctively know what mattered,
and when it mattered, and he never faltered in his outlook.
Tragically, Craig lost his battle. At his standing-room-only
funeral his ex-wife Becky delivered his eulogy. This fact speaks
volumes, not only about Becky but about Craig, too. In a world
of choices and mistakes both of them had the strength and maturity
to face their heart's truth and chose to serve each other apart
as Friends -- and, like Craig, there was no ego in that. With
Becky, Craig pondered this thought: "What will be my thumbprint
in life?"
Well, Craig, it was your silent lead to trust that the heart
finishes first if we are courageous enough to listen to it.
Vince BERETTA is a friend of Craig.
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