Obituary of Walter E. Craw

Walter Edison Craw, 84 of West Thompson Road, Thompson, died Friday morning at the Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam after a long illness. He was the beloved husband of Phyllis A. (Bailey) Craw; they were married December 12, 1943. He was born May 14, 1920 in Schenectady, NY, son of the William R. and Ethel (Fuller) Craw. Walter was employed by Belding Hemingway in Putnam for almost forty years, he started his career as a Chemical Engineer and was promoted to Plant Manager (BCI) , a position he held for several years until the closing of the plant. He was a graduate of Ohio State University. He was an Army veteran of WW II serving with the 40th Chemical Laboratory Company; he was honorably discharged in 1946. He has made his home in Northeast Connecticut since 1946 and the last 52 years in Thompson. He was a member of the Putnam United Methodist Church; he also served several years on the Town of Thompson Board of Education and the Library Board. He enjoyed woodworking, the Ohio State Buckeyes Football and the Chicago Cubs, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. His greatest love was caring for his beloved wife Phyllis. He leaves in addition to his wife – two sons – David Craw of Aurora, CO; Peter Craw and his wife Pat of Barrington, NH; two daughters – Beverly Warner and her husband Bill of Thompson; Betsy Kaiser and her husband Joe of Hopkinton, MA; a sister – Jessie Zirkle of Kingston, TN; four grandchildren – Nolan Craw; Curtis and Austin Warner; Ashley Kaiser; several nieces and nephews including Barbara Clark of Willington. He was predeceased by a brother - Charles Craw. A Memorial Service will be November 6th (Saturday) at 11:00 AM in the Putnam United Methodist Church, 53 Grove Street, Putnam, CT. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Salvation Army/NECT Service Unit c/o Putnam United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Smith & Walker Funeral Home, Putnam. To share a memory with the family, “Light a Candle” at www.smithandwalkerfh.com.