Craig Alan Newman

Craig was a proud Finlander. He was born in Cloquet, Minnesota to Shirley Mildred

Pannanen and Leslie Duane Newman (both deceased). Craig served in the Army during the Vietnam war in Company A 13h Sig Bn, 1st Cav Division. He was a Radio Mechanic, and also earned the National Defense Service Medal - Expert Rifle, during that service. When his Army life ended, he entered the Apprentice Program at the Broward County, FL Carpenter's Local assisting with builds such as the PGA Sheraton Hotel in Palm Beach, FL. He later moved to Indiana with his friends, the Greiner brothers, and built commercial buildings and residential homes with their company. A few years I later, he turned to his hobby - everything automotive, and became a mechanic and heavy duty towman for Dave's Classic Automotive in Schererville, IN where he worked for approximately 30 years. Craig is survived by his wife, Denise Amici Newman, who he met in 1982 in Indiana. His children include, Kristin Leigh (Newman) Golfis (James Dimitri) of Hammond, IN; Maximillian Alan Newman of Buckeye, AZ; Gabrielle Marie Erdelac-Newman of Broomfield, CO; and Keith William Newman of AL. Craig's siblings are sisters, Arlene Linton (David) of Fridley, MN and Barbara Newman (Thomas) of Blaine, MN; a brother William Newman (Lynette) of Chesterfield, MI, and many other sisters and brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Craig marched to the beat of his own drum. No matter what the occasion, he was in jeans and cowboy boots. He would compromise on the shirt, but those jeans and boots were staying. He always helped anyone who needed a hand while expecting nothing in return. He loved the outdoors, Budweiser, and racing. He participated in truck pulls in Florida and later in Indiana, he built a 9second drag race car out of a classic 1978 Corvette which he regularly raced at U.S. 41 Dragstrip. You could always find Craig in the garage tinkering on cars or whatever household item broke. He also handcrafted beautiful wood furniture and could fix anything. If the part wasn't available, he would fabricate it. Craig was a long-time member of the American Legion and National Rifle Association.

In 2011, Craig moved to Arizona and worked until his ATV accident in 2013 which left him with Traumatic Brain Injury. He retired and "kicked back", as he would say. Then in 2019, Craig was diagnosed with cancer and that journey began. He was given a clean bill of health within a year but in 2021, it returned. He fought it like no other, but his battle ended on March 2, 2022, at 11:15 p.m. Craig was one of a kind, loved by family and friends, and will be very missed but the beautiful memories of his life will live on and be shared.

Craig's wishes were to be cremated and a private family service. Surprise Funeral Care will be handling those arrangements. A memorial in his honor will be held in Indiana. Arrangements for the memorial will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Craig's name to Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, Arizona or U.S. Vets in Phoenix, Arizona (usvets.org).