Reverend Richard J. Craig

Reverend Richard J. Craig, 83, a retired catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, died Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Marian Manor Skilled Nursing Facility, South Boston, MA.

Born in Cambridge, MA on December 2, 1935, he was the son of the late John D. and Adeline M. (Leavitt) Craig.  He was raised in Cambridge and Arlington, attended St. John’s Prep in Danvers before entering St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.

Reverend Craig was ordained on February 2, 1961 and his first assignment was to St. Gerard Majella Parish in Canton.  Other parishes he served in were St. Bartholomew, Needham, St. Leo’s, Dorchester, and St. Peter’s in Cambridge.  He also resided at St. Columbkille’s in Brighton.

After completing a master of social work at Boston College, Father Craig served as assistant director of family counseling and guidance centers of Boston.  He went on to become Director of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Boston.

After retiring from catholic charities, Father Craig served as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in N. Chelmsford, finally retiring to Alton Bay, New Hampshire in 2010.

He is survived by his sisters, Anne M. Quinn and Marilyn C. Deorio and sisters-in-law, Carol Craig and Betty Craig as well as a brother- in-law, William Deorio.  He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He is predeceased by his brothers, Paul R., William E. and John D. Craig Jr.

Reverend Craig will lie in state in St. Agnes Church, 51 Medford St. Arlington, MA on Monday, November 5th from 10:30am-12:00pm immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Fr. Craig to Marian Manor, 130 Dorchester St. So. Boston, ma 02127 or to Catholic Charities of Boston, 275 West Broadway Boston, MA 02127 would be appreciated.