LEWISTON -- Craig W. Moon, age 46, of Back Cove Drive in Turner, died Wednesday, April 12, 2006, at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston with his loving family at his side.
He was born in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 11, 1959, a son of Ann (Burton) and George W. Moon Jr.
Craig was a graduate of Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, Md., class of 1977, where he was an allstate football player. He was a graduate of the University of Maryland, where he received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering with a minor in process control. During his education, he became a member of Tau Beta Pi.
Craig moved to Maine from Maryland to work as a chemical engineer at International Paper Co. in Jay. He later went to work for Scott Paper Co. in Hinckley, and currently was employed by New Page Corp. in Rumford as the information technology manager.
Craig was an avid outdoorsman, fishing and hunting with his kids at every chance. He was especially proud of his two children, Amelia and Philip, whom he taught to hunt and fish very well. They won multiple trophies and awards doing these things.
He was a whiz at working on computers and often had the dining room table covered with two or three at a time that he would be fixing for friends and family.
He was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers; the Monmouth Fish & Game Club; Ducks Unlimited; and the National Rifle Association.
He was greatly admired for his dry sense of humor, tenacity, perseverance, determination, and will to live.
He was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in January of 2000. In June 2002 he underwent a "mini" bone marrow transplant and ended up being in remission less than two years later. He fought very hard to beat the numerous obstacles thrown in his path. He spent 58 days in the hospital in June and July of 2004, after being totally paralyzed by lyme disease, having the distinction of being the only known bone marrow transplant patient to contract lyme disease. He even had an article published about this in the Journal of Infectious Clinical Diseases in December of 2005.
During his hospitalization, he only missed four days of work. He came home still in a wheelchair and went to therapy every day.
He helped to coach his son's football team for a few years and that summer he did it from his wheelchair, not even missing the first practice.
He was the best role model for his kids.
His unwavering courage and zest for life were fostered by his immense support system of family and the most incredible friends, to whom we will be forever thankful.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Debra Ann (Bernard) Moon; a daughter, Amelia Moon, and a son, Philip Moon; his father, George W. Moon Jr. of Parksley, Va.; a sister, Karen Koenig and husband, Jeff, of Catonsville, Md.; a brother, Gary Moon and wife, Dorrie, of Crisfield, Md.; sister-in-law Judy Ellis of Rumford; brother-in-law Roger Whitehouse of Rumford; mother-in-law Alfreda Bernard of Rumford; nieces and nephews Nicholas and Ashley Moon, Jacob, Luke, and Joseph Koenig, Christine Reynolds, and Diane Ellis. He was predeceased by his mother, Ann Moon, in 2005. Visiting hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 17, at the S.G. Thibault Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, at St. Athanasius & St. John Catholic Church, Rumford. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Craig Moon Fund, c/o Dr. David C. Fisher, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02215. Arrangements are by S.G. Thibault Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 250 Penobscot St., Rumford, ME; 364-4366; http://www.dignitymemorial.com Published in the Morning Sentinel on 4/15/2006.
