Craig Michael Annunziata passed away in the early hours of November 16, 2023 surrounded by family after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 63.
Craig was born in Brooklyn, NY, the third child and second son in a family of nine children.
His parents moved the family into a house in Cochecton, NY in 1966, and it was here Craig lived for the rest of his life. He graduated from Delaware Valley Central School in 1979.
Quick and comedic moves at a football team practice earned him the nickname Juice. Soon after receiving a communications degree at Sullivan County Community College, he joined his father in the family business, Duraclean Fabric Specialists, which together they operated for 45 years. They had loyal customers throughout the county, making Craig an expert on county roads, family trees and community happenings. His dedicated reading of the Middletown Record and the Sullivan County Democrat also helped.
Craig had a wonderful sense of humor and great comedic timing. He frequently joked about growing up in a large family with seven sisters, and developed a routine that he performed regularly for his customers. He loved working and always put his customers’ needs first.
Craig had an amazing memory. He was an authority on history, politics, movies and family events. He was a walking sports encyclopedia and loved watching sports of all kinds. Although he didn’t like to travel, a Notre Dame football game or seeing the Mets play at Wrigley Field could convince him to hit the road. A highlight of this spring was going to a Mets game at Citi Field with his best friend Hal Roeder.
Craig loved kids and spoiled all his nieces and nephews. In the past year, he greatly enjoyed meeting and playing with his great-niece Charlotte and great-nephew Bowie. All the kids gave him such joy.
Craig enjoyed a simple life. He loved working, he loved watching sports, he loved his family, he loved his friends, he loved where he lived. Craig was kind, funny, considerate, thoughtful, selfless, sensitive and generous. He was much loved and will be greatly missed.
Craig is survived by his siblings Elizabeth (Randy) Hill, Jim (Jackie) Annunziata, Kathy Annunziata Nicolaides, Suzanne (Jay) Wolff, Eileen (Michael) Crum, Patricia (Luis) Loarca, Dianne (Dave) Barber, Maureen Annunziata, his 13 nieces and nephews, six great nieces and nephews, and his three great-great nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents Suzanne and Vince, his grandparents Dr. Vincent and Dorothy Annunziata, his nephew Adam, his great-nephew Hugo, his brother-in-law Paul Nicolaides and his great-great niece Cecily.
The family would like to thank Dr. Sethi and all the staff at Crystal Run for their excellent care and compassion, as well as Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, which made him comfortable in his last days.
A visitation will be held at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Callicoon from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 1. Mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 2. The family invites you to join them for a light lunch immediately following in the church’s downstairs meeting room. Craig will be buried in East Cochecton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties at 800 Stony Brook Ct., Newburgh, NY 12550.
Rest peacefully, our brother. You will remain forever in our hearts.