Craig Mcphee

McPhee, Craig Alexander

August 2, 1938 – October 20, 2022

It is with great sorrow that I announce the passing of my cherished husband and best friend Craig, who passed away peacefully at the Perley and Rideau Veteran Health Centre, at the age of 84.

Craig was born in Montreal, Quebec, to the late Raymond and Dorothy McPhee (nee Webb).  Later the family moved to Vancouver where he grew up. He leaves behind his beloved wife Shirley Lambert-McPhee (nee Johnson), and her children Tim Lambert (Barb), their children Matty, Jon and Erika; Kevin Lambert (Lynn), their children James and Aaron; Reverend Lee Lambert (Sheri), their children to who he was proud Grampa Craig to Samantha Cramer (Brett), Abbey and Jackson Lambert. Great grandpa to Bella Cramer.

Cherished brother of the late Richard McPhee (Beverley) of Delta, B.C. and Kim Mellors (Richard) of Gibson, B.C. Fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews Cameron, Christine and Peter.

Craig joined the RCAF August of 1956, at the age of 18 and retired in October 1982 as a Warrant Officer.  He then began a new career with Grand & Toy as a Salesperson from 1982-2004.  Craig was an active member of the Tunis Clowns and Masons of Canada for 50 years as well as a member of the Canadian Legion, Bells Corners.

Although Craig had no children of his own, he reached out to help many others, from managing hockey to hosting Christmas parties for over 30 years.  He and his best friend Ken Moore ensured that abused mothers and children all received Christmas gifts, entertainment provided by the clowns, face painting, games, and lunch.  In 1985 he started a Christmas Drive for needy children in Stittsville.  Christmas mornings would find him in a Santa suit visiting the children of friends in their homes.  His love for people is what drove him.

Craig, alias Krazy Krazy attended NESCA clown school in Plymouth, Massachusetts yearly, where he obtained his Masters in the art of Clowning as well as teaching others.  He spent over 7,000 hours in face and makeup, visiting children in hospitals, seniors in homes, and fundraising.  All monies raised in entertaining children at various events, balloon artistry, face painting and other activities, went to the Shriners Orthopedic hospital in Montreal and the Shriners Children’s Hospital, a pediatric burn specialty hospital located in Boston.

In 2007, Craig and Shirley visited Arlington Cemetery in Washington, they were both very impressed seeing the beautiful wreaths on each military headstone from Wreaths Across America, originated by Morrill Worcester from Maine. In that same year, Craig knew that is what he wanted for our Canadian fallen at Beechwood Military, thus the dream began with registering Wreaths Across Canada in 2007.  He worked tirelessly with a wonderful group of Military people both retired and active.  The first service was held the first Sunday in December 2011 with WAC and friends, cadets, and Military.  Ottawa Fire Department personnel assisted the public in placing 2,800 beautiful New Brunswick, fresh balsam wreaths decorated with red ribbons that first year, which grew each year thereafter.  Ceremonies were well attended by Military personnel, the public, and families of the fallen, a piper was present, and the poem Honour was read by the author Kathleen Mills.

Funeral service will be held at Beechwood Cemetery in the chapel on November 19th, at 2 p.m.  Reception and interment to follow.  For those wishing, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children or the Dementia and Alzheimer’s Society.  Condolences, tributes, and donations may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com or Beechwood Cemetery.