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Dr. Donald Laird Craig

Dr. Donald Laird Craig

Born In: Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada

Passed in: Upper Dyke, Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: October 11th, 2011

CRAIG, Dr. Donald Laird, PhD, LLB – 87 of Upper Dyke, Kings County, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2011. Born in Kentville, Nova Scotia, he was the son of the late Evan and Rachel (Donaldson) Craig. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary (Stobo); his sons, William (Barb) of Kentville; Colin (Alison) of Halifax; his daughter, Suzanne (Robert Gunn), Upper Dyke; his brother, Colin, Prince Edward Island; six grandchildren, Dr. David Gunn (Kristen), Liverpool; Jennie Sinclair (Dr. Mike), Upper Dyke; Maggie Milne (Greg), Kentville; Haley Barnes (Rory), Toronto; Alexander Craig, Edmonton and Daniel Craig (Audrey), Kentville; five step-grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, David; brothers, Gordon and Douglas. A graduate of the Nova Scotia Agriculture College, McGill University (MacDonald College) BSc. Agri. and the University of New Hampshire (MSc & PhD). Nationally and internationally renowned for his berry and ornamental research as a Kentville Agricultural Research Station scientist (1947–1983). At the invitation of the Scottish Horticultural Research Institute, he worked on a project related to the red raspberry, in Dundee, where he and his family spent a memorable year (1963-64). In 1983, appointed ‘life member’ of the Canadian Society of Horticultural Science (CSHS) for which he once served as president. His strawberry cultivar ‘Bounty’ received the CSHS Award of Merit in 1983. In 1987, his cultivar ‘Kent’ received the CSHS ‘Outstanding Cultivar Award’. Don was inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1988. In 1990, he received the Wilder Medal from the American Pomological Society for “contributions in small fruit breeding” and also served a term as their vice-president. In 1990 he received a Honourary degree of Doctor of Laws from Dalhousie University and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. In all, Don introduced eight new strawberry cultivars that contributed to the growth of the berry industry by overcoming a multiplicity of plant diseases. In 1994, the farm-gate harvest value of seven of the eight varieties of strawberries he developed in Kentville was $37 million. He also developed ‘Nova’, a commercially acceptable red raspberry having plant and fruit characteristics and resistance to late yellow rust. He evaluated more than 700 strawberry, raspberry, grape, high bush blueberry, elderberry, currant, gooseberry, and blackberry varieties and provided strong leadership for the development of these crops in the region. Don provided outstanding leadership in developing with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, and with co-operating U.S. and Canadian research centres, the first strawberry plant certification program in Canada producing millions of healthy plants for markets as distant as Florida and Manitoba. Don’s research, with the cooperation of several North American research centres plus field and laboratory testing at Kentville of 75 cultivars and seedling selections, identified several new cultivar and seedling grape selections suitable for commercial wine production. Cultivars such as L’Acadie (Vineland 53261), Marechal Foch and Michurinets helped to establish Nova Scotia’s wine industry. Don is also widely known by local and national floral groups for his many award-winning rhododendron cultivars. He was a founding member and Past President of the Rhododendron Society of Canada. His breeding program at Kentville produced more than 15,000 seedlings from which 14 cultivars were selected and named. The Kentville Research Station’s breathtaking rhododendron gardens attracted thousands of visitors each year and won hundreds of trophies at national and regional flower shows. Don authored or co-authored over 80 scientific, farm and garden publications. Upon his retirement, the Halifax Herald lauded his life’s work as “an inestimable boon to this province and afar.” For many years an active member of the United Church of St. Paul and St. Stephen in Kentville where Don served as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Secretary of the Board of Stewards and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. A former director of the Kentville Wildcat (H&D) baseball team, a member and former director of the Glooscap Curling Club, instructor for ten years of the Kings County Academy boys curling, a former director of the KenWo Golf and Country Club, a keen sailor, an avid fisherman, and ornamental gardener. He and his wife travelled extensively throughout his retirement. Don was a quiet unassuming man. A good man who lived a good life, he reaped the rewards of virtue, faith and diligence. His love for his wife Mary, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was unlimited. All who knew him celebrate what he brought to our world and bless him for showing us the way. Cremation has taken place. There was no visitation, by request. The funeral service, followed by a reception, was held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 15, 2011 in the United Church of St. Paul and St. Stephen, Kentville, Reverend Doctor Randy Crozsman officiating. Interment took place in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill, Kings County. Family flowers only. Donations in memory may be made to the Valley Hospice Foundation or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line inquiries and condolences may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.

 

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