Joseph C. Craig

Joseph C. Craig, age 82, of Hanson, passed away peacefully July 7, 2015 after a brief illness surrounded by his family. He and his beloved wife Irene raised their family in South Weymouth and then Hingham before moving to Hanson.

Joe was born on January 7, 1933 in Boston, summered in Maine, and graduated from Bentley College. Joe became a Certified Public Accountant in 1958 and worked 53 years as a CPA in Boston. He was a steady and dependable man, working for over 20 years at two accounting firms. During his distinguished career he was a very active member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA) where he served on the Board of Directors and as vice president and was awarded the MSCPA’s Professional Service Award in 1989. He retired after over 20 years from Parent, McLaughlin & Nangle in 2011. He also served for 50 years as auditor, on a volunteer basis, for Old South Union Church where he was a member.

Their love story began when Joe and Irene met at a Bentley College CPA Review Class in preparation for the CPA exam. They married on October 17, 1959 with their combined families surrounding them. Raising their family in South Weymouth and Hingham, they have been active members of Old South Union Church in Columbian Square, South Weymouth.

Outside of the office and association, he never brought his work home. On one rare occasion his family discovered that his hard work had resulted in the most billable accounting hours in Massachusetts that year. When he was home, his focus was on his family. Seen by all as a quiet, polite gentleman in his community, Joe never sought attention for himself and preferred to work behind the scenes at church. Most probably didn’t realize the level of expertise he brought to the financial well-being of the church.

In announcing his retirement in 2011, Joseph Parent, founding partner of PMN, wrote in part “…that Joe Craig will be retiring after over 20 years with PMN as its sole quality control person and an illustrious career as a respected accounting and auditing technical expert. His career included time with local Boston firms Tonneson & Larsen and Patterson, Tele & Dennis, and 20 years at the Boston office of the international firm Pannell Kerr Foster where he was a partner and lead Accounting and Auditing technical person. During his distinguished career he was a very active member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA) where he served on the Board of Directors and as vice president and was awarded the MSCPA’s Professional Service Award in 1989. He was a member of the MSCPA Legislation Committee and was involved in successfully changing the requirements of the Massachusetts Annual Report of Corporations, the Annual Report for Public Charities and the writing of the Massachusetts Public Accountancy Law. We have been fortunate to have been associated with Joe…his knowledge and commitment to the highest standards have provided us the foundation on which to build PMN’s reputation as a provider of the highest quality accounting and auditing services…his knowledge, counsel and his relaxed approach to solving the most difficult problems will be sorely missed.”

Everyday life at home and vacations were all about being with his family. Everything Joe did was to make a good life for Irene and their children. Their quiet, loving example made a strong bond for the family they nurtured together. Joe was always a family man. Although his siblings and their families have moved to various parts of the country, they always stay in touch and gather whenever there is an opportunity.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of over 55 years, Irene M. Craig, his loving children Deborah A. Rowell and her husband Allen F. Rowell of Brockton, James C. Craig of Hanson, Katherine A. Craig and her fiancé Joseph Conant of Bridgewater, his sister Frances E. Fifield of Shelby Township, Michigan, his brothers Charles L. Craig and his wife Ruth Craig of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, David A. Craig and his wife Joan Craig of Holmes Beach, Florida, his cherished grandsons Richard A. Rowell and his fiancée April Lyn Paul, David M. Rowell and his longtime girlfriend Paige Travers-Neal of Brockton. Joe is also survived by two first cousins and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours for Joe on Friday, July 10, 2015 from 4-8 PM at the C. C. Shepherd Funeral Home located at 134 Pleasant St. (Columbian Sq.) South Weymouth. A Funeral Service will be held in honor of Joe on Saturday, July 11 at the Old South Union Church located at 25 Union St., South Weymouth at 2 PM. Burial will be private. Donations in memory of Joe may be made to The American Cancer Society at 1324 Belmont St. Suite 204-101 Brockton, MA 02301. If you would like to leave a message for the family please click on the candle.