Reverend Harold C. Craige (STH ’63)
This obituary was originally posted by Patron-Myer Funeral Home, Inc. and can be found here.
Rev. Harold Carr Craige, 85, of Montrose, PA, passed away on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 in his home, surrounded by his family. Born October 20, 1938, in Meshoppen, PA, the son of Thomas Houston and Ruth Inez Palmer Craige II.
Harold was born in Meshoppen, PA where he grew up with his late brother Thomas Houston Craige III. He was an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America and graduated from Elk Lake High School where his mother Ruth taught in a one-room schoolhouse. He left Susquehanna County to attend Pennsylvania State University, graduating in 1960 in Psychology and furthered his education at Boston University, graduating in 1963 with a Masters in Divinity.
Rev. Craige was ordained to the ministry in 1963 and served within the Scranton Wyoming Conference in various churches for several years. It was at the Court Street United Methodist Church in Scranton, Pa where he met his wife of 57 years, Gloria.
Harold and Gloria spent the rest of their married lives taking care of others. They operated several personal care homes for those who needed special care including the Welsh Women’s Home on Capouse Avenue, which later was a Personal Care Home, and The Methodist Home on Green Ridge Street, in West Scranton, PA.
Harold, who sometimes would forget to run his lofty ideas past his wife, Gloria, decided to return to Susquehanna County and purchase the former Auburn Rush Poor Asylum in 1988.
They operated their personal care home, Grandmother’s House, there for over 20 years where they continued to raise their family. Harold served in the Unitarian Universalist Church in Brooklyn, PA, for over 17 years after moving to Susquehanna County.
For those that knew Harold, you knew once he set his mind to something, it became his passion. Whether it was reading, puzzles, genealogy, amateur heavy equipment operator or even making homemade goat cheese. He loved sharing his interests with his friends and family. You could be sure he would share his latest findings or factoid when you would call or visit. Harold was a collector of memories – he kept every trinket, greeting card, picture, sermon, and planner. He found great joy in being surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Later in life, Harold poured his free time into being the Secretary of Meshoppen High Alumni and a member of the Penn State Alumni Association. He spent many hours at the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library doing genealogy research.
Survivors include his wife of over 57 years, Gloria Casparro Craige; four daughters; Carisa (Charles) Keller of Woodbridge, VA, Darinda (Dean) Cesario of West Grove, PA, Miranda (Lawrence) McElroy of Wilmington, DE, and Noelle Craige of Perkasie, PA; six sons, Nathanael Craige of Campbell, NY, Aaron (Requel) Craige of Montrose, PA, Justin (Christal) Craige of Pasadena, MD, Brandon Craige of Newark, DE, Michael Craige, Joshua Craige; sister-in-law, Shirley Craige of Snow Hill, MD; 15 grandchildren, 1 great grand-daughter; along with many nieces, nephew, and cousins. Harold is the last of his immediate family.
Services: Private
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to either the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association or the Unitarian Universalist Church, Brooklyn, PA.