Missing you so much my dear Brother. Your compassion carried me through my darkest days. Rest in Peace Craig.

I was surprised and saddened to learn that Craig had passed. Craig, aka Book, and I worked together at Group IV of the El Dorado Task Force in  NYC. Craig was a force of nature and an incredible personality. He was the go-to guy in getting difficult things done, like keeping the groups Under Cover (UC) books.

The case of the Money Launderer's Ball highlights the professionalism of Book. Daisey of our group, agreed to go undercover, join our informant and attend a large gathering of money movers for a Christmas Party, The group tried to buy Daisey a new dress from the UC fund. Book heard of the idea and yelled under no circumstance would he approve the payment, but he could justify renting one, and so we did. 

Daisey took photos of the people there and identified the launderers among them. While Daisey and the source were working the crowd. Book was monitoring the event from a car down the street where he served as a lifeline and tech guy for the event which was a big success. 

We were confident in the Books’ judgement. There were five (5) audits of our UC books by various oversight groups in a year, the last was by the U.S. Treasury and Book excelled in all.  Shortly after, we began getting calls for Book from around the country. He was a national treasure to other UC teams facing audits or who had questions about registering expenses and income on their books.

Craig’s fame was not restricted to the United States in sharing his knowledge. During an international money laundering conference sponsored by The Task-force for the top prosecutors in Holland; Craig explained his bookkeeping operations to them.

A lot can be said about Books supporting personality and friendships but what made Craig such a valuable person in so many ways that he was a team player. Weather that was with his family at home or his family at work, he put his whole heart and 
and soul into his chosen task. God Bless, you Book. Thanks for so many great memories and jobs well done. John F

This is a photo of the Customs Unit Citation being presented to Group 4 of the Eldorado Task-Force at 6 WTC and led by Book and Sharon Garvey with acting Customs Commissioner Sam Banks, and surround by EDNY US Attorney Loretta Lynch, SDNY US Attorney, Mary Joe White, Director High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Chauncy Parker and our Assistant US Attorney’s (AUSA) EDNY Bonnie Klapper AUSA, SDNY Dan Becker, US Customs NY SSA John Verrone and   Group IV

In a year at Group IV Craig passed five audits of our undercover books, the last was by the Treasury Department.  Following that the group received numerous calls from around the country and overseas on maintaining proper accounts for undercover operations . Book became a national treasure. The money launders ball was his hallmark of compliance with the regulations.

Hey Book
I can’t believe you are gone. I remember the day I met you. It was your first day at SAC NY. You were very nervous and came to me at the duty desk asking where to go, I took one look at you and how nervous you were and sad” relax this is fantasy island. Nothing here is real”. You instantly relaxed and laughed and we became good friends. You were extremely loyal to me when I was falsely accused , courtesy of Bobby D. lol. We had great vacations together on Block Island with you and Sarah. You swore you were coming to the keys last winter but never showed. We both knew you were never leaving the Bx. I know the grief of your sisters death took a huge tole on you. I know you are happy now with your mom, dad and sisters. Take care buddy. Love you

It has been sometime but I always remember Craig as a good person always looking to help new agents.   My thoughts are with the family at this time.

Condolences to Craig’s family.  I had the privilege of being Craig’s supervisor and friend.  Smart. Funny (he had this smirk that you had to laugh with him).  Professional.  Always count on him.  Craig will be missed.

Farewell dear friend. Missing you badly already but any memories I have of you and of time spent in your company are good ones and they leave a smile on my face every time you come to mind.

Craig was a really good guy, a friend and a former supervisor too. Rarely did he ever have anything negative to say about those he worked with.  Towards the end of his career, he cared for his sister, who was given a terminal diagnosis. I regret not keeping in touch with him post retirement. But believed that he had moved on in his life and relocated to Florida to live in a 55+ community. Rest in peace buddy.

My condolences to Craig’s family.  I had the pleasure of working with him at Customs many years ago but we would see each other over the years at group dinners.  RIP Craig, gone way to early.

Sending my heartfelt condolences to Craig's family. I worked with him in New York City. Still have great memories of his early days at Customs.  He was such a bright light and a fun person to work with.  He was always someone you can count on.  Rest well, Craig.  You will be greatly missed.

My sincere condolences to Craig’s family. I have fond memories of the Bookster from SAC NY. Craig and I started around the same time and he was always a positive and fun guy to work with and have an occasional lunch and laugh with. I will miss him. 

Sean Quick

Tom Kuras,
Colleague

I worked with Craig for many years.  He was the consummate law enforcement professional, a gentleman and a great friend.  He was always willing to assist everyone with their case work and he would always use all of his knowledge and skills to achieve a successful conclusion to anything that he was involved with.  I last saw Craig at the Veterans Day Parade and last spoke to him on Hanukkah.  On those two occasions,  all seemed well with him.   For reasons known only to God, his life's journey has been cut incredibly short.  
Rest in eternal Peace my friend.

Craig is my dear friend for 50 Years. I will always remember  him for his acts of kindness towards me and my family . I never met a person that did more to take care of his mother , father , and sister. I will always remember him for the tremendous sacrifices he made to help his beloved father Harry , mother Hilda and sister Sara .  I love  him and miss him very much

Craig
Sara's brother,our friend.
So sad this is his end.
We'd meet at Ben's and share a meal.
Craig passing seems so unreal.
Kind, gentle and giving in every way.
So sad, he could not stay.
Rest in peace our friend.
Love 💕 Julie, Jon and Vincent XOXO

He’ll always be remember by me as the Bookster, with that demure smile. A kind and gentle man, yet passionate in his beliefs.  Though we only worked side by side for a few years, you left a lasting impression. May you rest in peace brother.

I am very sorry to hear about this. We were friends with his sister and got to know him.  This seems very unthinkable.  He will be remembered fondly.

A kind soul and a hard worker. God bless you, Craig

The more I worked with and spoke to Craig, the more he became a close co-worker and friend to me.  In retirement, Craig, myself and several other close co-workers got together yearly over lunch to talk about old times.  The last thing I said to him was that he was like a brother to me.  He repeated that back to me.  I will miss him.  May God Bless you Craig.

So sorry to hear of Craigs passing.  We worked together in the SAC, NY office and he was always a diligent and fun person to be around.  Condolences to his family.

I am so sad to hear the news about Craig’s passing. We worked together at HSI New York for many years and Craig was always ready to talk and discuss any issues, work or otherwise. He was pretty funny too! I will miss his sense of humor and his kindness. May he rest in peace and my heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and friends.

Craig was an excellent coworker and very loyal to his friends. He was also very kind to others in their time of need or sadness. Gone too soon, may he rest with the angels.

Craig was more than a colleague/Supervisor he was always there during my darkest times. We had a bond that connected us. His Sister Sarah and my husband Carlos both were at Sloane Kettering getting treated. We understood each other’s heart wrenching pain and supported each other the way only one could by walking the same painful path. 
I will miss our reminiscing  talks 💔
Rest in Peace my Beloved Brother 🙏🏽

I had the pleasure of working with Craig for many years. He was always a devoted agent and was willing to help without complaining. I relied on him for so many things and he was an integral member of our close knit group. We had some great and funny times that will be my memory of him. I was so sad and shocked to hear that he passed. My heart goes out to all who knew him

So sorry to hear of Craig’s passing.  Gone to soon.  Rest in peace.

To the family of Craig Bookman. 
I had the opportunity to work with Craig as a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security. He will certainly be missed by all who knew and worked with him. My deepest condolences to the Bookman family. 

Sincerely,
Rich Dallesandro.

My deepest condolences go to Craig’s family in this difficult time. Craig was a great guy who was always willing to speak his mind which made him someone who you could seek out for guidance and support and at the same time have the utmost respect for.  Thank you Craig for always being true to yourself.  Rest in peace. Godspeed.

OBITUARY

Craig B. Bookman

June 25, 1963 – January 4, 2024

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