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Joseph (Craig) Whitfield

Joseph (Craig) Whitfield

Born In: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: April 14th, 1960

Passed in: High Level, Alberta, Canada
Passed on: April 17th, 2019

Craig Whitfield ,April 14,1960-April 17, 2019

Joseph (Craig) Whitfield passed away suddenly at home in High Level, Alberta, in the early morning of April 17, 2019. He was 59 years old.
Craig was born to Edward (Ted) and Mary (Macdonald) Whitfield on April 14, 1960 in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. The third of four brothers, Craig spent his youth on Cape Breton Island, where his heart remained until his final days.
In the late seventies, Craig left Cape Breton for British Columbia, where he worked in the lumber industry. After completing school, the love of his life, Leone (Byrne) went to be with him. While in British Columbia, he and Leone welcomed two children into the family -- a son (Glen, 1989), and daughter (Heather, 1995). The family lived in the small village of Tahsis until economic downturn resulted in a relocation to High Level in 2000.
Craig, a very private man, loved his family fiercely and was a loyal friend. He was the ultimate handyman - a self-taught plumber, carpenter, mechanic, and electrician, as well as a certified saw filer. Whether a pipe had sprung a leak, an engine had stalled, or a new set of cabinets needed to be built, one needed only to give Craig a call and he would arrive with his truck full of tools, ready to get the job done. He brought this hard working ethic to the various roles that he occupied in his lifetime, from saw filer to truck driver to hotel manager and beyond. Anyone who worked alongside him would attest to his commitment to getting the job done and getting it done right.
Those who knew Craig would also attest to his quick wit and strong will, which made him both a delightful conversation partner and a formidable debate opponent; he was a veritable treasure trove of information about history, politics, music, and hockey, and loved sharing his knowledge with those around him. He was a fiercely opinionated man and would rarely waver once he’d made up his mind, with one notable exception – his long-standing dislike of cats. Vocally anti-cat for most of his life, Craig finally acquiesced after his daughter begged for the family to get a cat. Over time, the family’s cats won Craig over, and it was rare to see him on the couch or in his bed without a feline companion by his side.
Craig remained young at heart; his youthful love for loud music and louder motorcycles carried on throughout his life, and he was never happier than when he was riding his Harley with his wife or grandkids in tow. When he wasn’t at work or on his bike he could be found in his garage, tinkering with his latest project with his stereo on full blast. He often recruited his children in these ventures, always taking the opportunity to impart the skills and lessons that had helped him through his life. Above all else, Craig saw it as his duty to care for, protect, and provide for his family, and he fulfilled this duty until the end.
Craig is survived by his wife and partner of over forty years Leone (Byrne); children Glen (Lacey Burke), High Level,and Heather , Edmonton; grandchildren Zachary and Jackson Whitfield; and brothers Jackie (Beverly) ; Brian (Heather) and Glen (Pamela), as well as several nieces and nephews. He also leaves to mourn his lifetime friend, and “brother from another mother”, John (Mugsy ) MacDonald. Craig was predeceased by his father, Edward; mother, Mary; and sister-in-law, Cathy (Crawford) Whitfield. He was loved deeply and is missed dearly.
There is no service planned at this time. Internment will take place in Cape Breton this summer.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Northwest Health Foundation Palliative Care Campaign.


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