Kenneth J. "Pops" Craig

KENNETH J. CRAIG "POPS"

Former Binghamton and Vestal, New York resident, passed away April 21st, 2023 after a courageous battle with a long term illness at Willow Point Nursing Home in Vestal.

Kenneth, or "Pops" to those dear to him, was born June 14th, 1929, in Providence, Rhode Island, to Alex G. Craig and Louise C. Craig (Silva).

Kenny fell in love with music at an early age, eventually going on to study and play drums while enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. After his service to his country, Kenny played with many popular local bands and even started a few of his own, "THE KEN CRAIG QUARTETTE" and "NOW AND THEN" were a couple of his well known bands that played many social events around the area. After permanently settling in Binghamton, Kenny set up a drum shop selling drums and teaching drums to students eager to learn from the master himself, all the while still making the time to play gigs in various bands and orchestras. He would later go on to become the local Musicians Union President and sought to keep live music as the premiere entertainment through out the souther tier with his "LIVE MUSIC IS BEST" catch phrase. Amongst his joys in life, Ken loved his New York Yankees, Washington Commanders, vacationing in Newport beach, telling the same jokes over and over again until you would laugh and then stop laughing and then laugh again because it's funny he keeps telling you it, finding the best chicken wings and pizza spots in town, playing his drums, listening to jazz music as he calmly bumped things with his cars bumper, and spending his time with the love of his life, Joyce, his partner in crime at Tioga Downs Casino and the Chinese Buffet.

Kenny is survived by his three children from a previous marriage and seven step children and their spouses from his marriage to Joyce Craig (Striss). Sons; Richard Harlost and wife Kali, and Kenneth M. Craig. Daughters; Gail Craig and Michelle Thornton (Craig) and husband Thomas Thornton. Step-sons; Kevin Harlost and wife Lisa, and Jeffrey Harlost and his wife Anne. Step-Daughters; Bernadette Harlost, Kathleen Labarron, Elizabeth Hurlburt and Paulette Fiacco. He is also survived by his brother and sister in-laws, Richard (Dick) Striss, Linda Striss, Catherine Sents, and Cindy Perelka. He was also survived by many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his two sisters, one brother and one brother-in-law; Louise Ferreira (Craig), Marilyn Craig, Alex G. Craig Jr. and brother-in-law Robert (Bob) Striss.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 from 4pm to 6pm at the THOMAS J. SHEA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 137 Robinson St. Binghamton.  A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Thursday at 12Noon at St. Paul's Church in Binghamton.  

QUOTE FROM THE WRITER: Sorry to see you go but glad you stayed long enough to be remembered for forever. Love you Pops!

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