SANDY RIVER PLANTATION — Craig S. Ferguson, 68, passed away after a long illness at his home in Sandy River Plantation on Thursday, May 21, 2009.

Craig attended school at the one-room schoolhouse in Sandy River Plantation, and later in Rangeley. During these years he trapped, fished, worked in his brother's lumber mill and in the woods. He went on to auto body repair school in North Dakota and returned to the Rangeley area to open his own business repairing cars, trucks and anything else with an engine.

On Aug. 11, 1979, he married Kathleen Moura.

He was always willing to lend a hand when needed and had a kind of quiet strength and dignity that influenced many lives. He loved to be busy and was either working at his shop or on a special project. Some of his favorite things were cookouts at the lake, old wooden boats, smelting, hanging out at the shop with friends, playing pool, Busch beer and a good game of Pitch.

Craig is survived by his wife, Kathy; three daughters, Terri Sue Parker and her husband, Richard, of Phillips, Sharri Ellen Justard of Rumford, and Danielle Drake and her husband, Jim, of Hebron; his son, Robert Ferguson and his wife, Lorinda, of New Gloucester; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandsons; his sister, Joyce Ninos of Florida; his brother, Holman D. Ferguson of Sandy River Plantation; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his son, Brad; two brothers, Richard and William; and two sisters, Susan and Mary.

At Craig's request there will be no funeral service. Instead friends and family are invited to celebrate his life and share memories at a gathering to be held at his home at 4 Cascade Road in Sandy River Plantation on June 20, from 1 to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanders, 93 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901 or to Gary's House, c/o Mary Irace, 97 State St., Portland, ME 04101.