Craig Richard Mott

Craig Mott of Flagler Beach, Florida passed away July 27 at his home. Craig was born in Teaneck, New Jersey on November 10, 1950 to Clifford and Berenice Mott. As a child, he was a practical jokester with a quick wit and a gift for both stories and numbers, traits that he carried with him to adulthood and would use personally and professionally.

Craig traveled widely as a young man, from the East coast to West. Along the way, he met Joan Rackaway, through a mutual friend. Soon after, they married and began their life in southern Illinois where Craig worked for a newspaper before eventually starting a small print shop in Bluford, Illinois. In 1979, they moved with their two young daughters to the small Appalachian town of Irvine, Ky where they had purchased acreage adjoining the Daniel Boone National Forest. There, this city boy became a true woodsman and, through much vision and perseverance, they turned an abandoned hunting lodge into the foundation for their family home. Craig was a skilled carpenter and worked for the USPS as a rural mail carrier, meeting thousands of people in the county until he retired in 2007.

His love for travel eventually led him on a new adventure and he left Kentucky for Flagler Beach in 2011, where he resided with his wife, Farida, until his death.

Craig is survived by Farida and her family, his daughters Rachael (Scott) Smith (Gainesville, FL), Sophy Mott (Gainesville, FL), grandchildren Josie, Hunter, and Savannah Smith; brother Donald (Leila) Mott (Port Orange), sister Debra Donert (Manhattan, NY), nieces Dara Mott and Donell Mott and nephews Donovan Mott and Conor Mott. Last but not least, he is survived by his faithful companion dog Jack (Gainesville, FL).

Craig embraced many activities in life; he loved movies of all genres and music - from Bob Dylan to Chubby Checker to Frank Sinatra to Alan Jackson. He was an excellent pool player, and he loved to build and fix things, which he did so for as long as he was able. He took great pleasure in helping others, and was known for his generous spirit. His family and friends will love, miss him, and honor his memory always. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date; all are welcome to come and share a story and raise a glass in his honor.