Kenneth P. Craig 1946-2025

He was born Jan. 16, 1946, in Youngstown, to Rosalie Billock Craig and Kenneth Craig, and was the oldest son of six children.

He was a proud graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School, Class of 1964. After graduation, he served in the United States Navy as a communications specialist on the USS Shangri-La aircraft carrier and in Reykjavik, Iceland.

He married the former Roan DeMarco on Feb. 12, 1972. He worked as a credit manager for many years and retired from Trumbull Industries.

Ken was always an excellent athlete. He was a pitcher for several baseball teams and once pitched a no-hitter in Youngstown’s Class B minor league. He bowled for many years at Holiday Bowl, Boardman Lanes and Canfield Lanes. He became an avid golfer and organized a traveling group that played a different golf course each week. He loved the Cleveland Indians (not the name change), the Cleveland Browns, Ohio State football and the YSU Penguins. He had season tickets to YSU football and basketball for many years, and loved tailgating at the football games with his friends. Despite the record of the Cleveland Browns, he always hoped that “this would be the year.” He enthusiastically supported the Browns at the Daytona Beach Browns Backers, where he and many friends sometimes celebrated and most times lamented their favorite team. He was also an excellent photographer and captured some amazing pictures with just his cellphone.

When he had grandchildren, he became one of their biggest fans and attended many baseball and soccer games, swim meets and dance recitals. He also attended as many school programs as he could. He was happiest in his role as Papa.

As a proud veteran, Ken was a member of the Canfield American Legion. He also enjoyed collecting coins. He was a member of St. Charles Parish and St. Brendan Parish in Ormond Beach, and also attended Mass frequently at St. Paul’s Monastery in Ellsworth.

Ken loved Florida, and he and his family visited every year with a large group of friends from Ohio, Kentucky and New York. The OhKennys were very much a second family to him. Even though OhKenny was named for the states, everyone believed Ken named the group after himself.

For the last 11 years, Ken and his wife, Roan, spent half the year in Youngstown and half in Ormond Beach, Florida. He loved watching the ocean in Florida and visiting Geneva-on-the-Lake, Conneaut and Ashtabula on Lake Erie. He loved to travel and was working on visiting the national parks.

During his illness, he loved watching old Westerns and “Hogan’s Heroes” from the comfort of his La-Z-Boy.

To cherish his memory, Ken leaves his wife, Roan, of 53 years; his two daughters, Tarisa Craig-Craggy (Mark) of Ormond Beach, Florida, and Shana Craig-Yardas (Bill) of Boardman; his grandchildren, Keegan and Nora of Ormond Beach, and William and Myla of Boardman; his sister, Bonnie DeCarlo (Jim) of Sebring; and his brother, Tim Craig (Erin) of Bradenton, Florida. He also leaves his buddy, mother-in-law, Betty DeMarco; his in-laws, Jean (Frank) Sotlar, Nancy (Mike) Swiatkwich, Ed (Jan) DeMarco, Lori (Bob) Ficorilli, Tony (Judy) DeMarco, Valerie (Jeff) Jones and Paula Craig; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews and friends in Ohio and Florida. Ken was a well-loved man.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ken and Rosalie Craig; his brothers, Breen and Mike; and his sister, Pat.

Friends and family may call 11 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman, where a prayer service will take place at 1:25 p.m.

The family suggests that everyone wear bright, vibrant colors for Ken’s services.

There will be a funeral Mass at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Catherine of Siena Parish-St. Charles Church, 7325 Westview Drive, Boardman.

In accordance with Ken’s wishes, everyone is welcome to attend the burial at noon Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, 10175 Rawiga Road, Rittman, OH 44270.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tunnels to Towers Foundation, the Canfield American Legion, or your favorite charity or church.

Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Ken’s family.

(special notice)