Craig S. English of Long Eddy, NY passed away on June 5 surrounded by his loving family at home. Born in Callicoon, NY on July 14, 1949, Craig was the son of the late Margaret Henderson and Francis W. (Bud) English. Raised mostly in California, Craig returned east and attended the State University of NY Maritime College, Bronx, NY from 1967–71.

Long Eddy was a weekend home for Craig during these years with his grandparents, where he became reacquainted with Linda Doyle, who was a Kindergarten teacher at Delaware Valley. Craig and Linda married in June of 1971 at Holy Cross Church in Callicoon. He took a direct commission in the U.S. Coast Guard upon graduation from Maritime and was assigned to marine inspection duties in San Francisco, CA.

During this time, Craig also attended law school at the University of San Francisco and was admitted to the bars of California, New York and New Jersey after graduation. In 1976, Craig was assigned to Governors Island, NY and practiced law for the Coast Guard. He made his way to the Justice Department at Foley Square, NYC in the admiralty division, and eventually went into private practice in maritime law in 1983 with Chalos, English and Brown, and from there to the firm Kennedy, Lillis, Schmidt and English, 1992 until present.

 A move to Long Eddy in 2014 afforded Craig the ability to work remotely from their home for the last five years. He was a highly respected trial and appellate attorney and enjoyed a vigorous practice until early this year when his illness took hold.

Even though Craig did not get to enjoy retirement, he managed to savor one of his favorite hobbies of fly fishing in the trout-rich streams of our Sullivan and Delaware counties region.  He was a member of both the North Jersey and Upper Delaware Trout Unlimited Chapters where he was president from 2015–2017.

Craig also enjoyed most of all spending time with his very extensive family and friends, both at home and when traveling. The natural world also held special meaning for him as he loved identifying birds and trees and extending his knowledge of any and everything that interested him. He especially loved teaching his young grandchildren the intricacies of tying flies and fishing.

 Craig was an active member of the St. Patrick’s Church community and Long Eddy Hose Company; he was a fire commissioner and trustee of the Basket Historical Society in Long Eddy.

Craig is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Christen English and her husband, Jay Coulby; children Mac, Ginny and Lilly of Alexandria, VA; Jan English and partner Sandrine Dedieu; daughters Mathilde and Edith of London, England; Peter English and wife Rebecca Angler; children Teddy and Winnie of Valley Stream, NY; sisters Norma Scuri, Catherine Soria, Julie English, Beth English, Michiko English and Linda Jean English. He is also survived by his mother’s twin sister Catherine Holbert, several cousins, nieces and nephews, and sisters- and brothers-in-law.

Craig will be deeply missed by his family who cherish him dearly. He will be remembered as a friend to everyone with his gentle and kind spirit.

The maritime industry mourns the loss of this gentle giant, who gained the respect of colleagues and adversaries alike.

Services were held on Sunday, June 9 at St. Patrick’s Church in Long Eddy, NY. Funeral arrangements were made by the Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Craig’s grandfather, A.R. Henderson’s original funeral home, 29 East Main Street, Hancock, New York 13783.