Gary Errol Craft, 80, of Binghamton passed away in St John’s Home in Rochester, NY on Monday January 29, 2018, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Gary Errol Craft was born in Binghamton, NY on June 7, 1937 to Clata and Sherman Craft He attended Binghamton Central and went to College at Hartwick College. Gary was a retired teacher who taught at Vestal Central Schools. He was very well respected by staff and students. He also helped coach the Vestal Golden Bears football team. He was their trainer and equipment manager. He also officiated at the track team events. Gary had many hobbies; he loved fishing, hunting, karate, golf and traveling just to name a few. Gary was also an Educational Karate Program instructor through Hidy Ochiai Karate. Gary is survived by his sister, Dawn (William) Cornelius and their sons Scott and David; son, Stephen (Laurie) Craft, daughter, Cheri Craft (Martin) Pekurny; three grandchildren, Anna, Dashel and Elayne Pekurny. He is also survived by his nieces Susan Guerin and Kimberly O’Connell and four great nieces, Kylie O’Connell, Brooke O’Connell, Sophia Guerin, and Samantha Guerin. Gary is predeceased by his parents Sherman and Clata Craft; brother Donald (Dorothy) Craft and the love of his life for 29 years, his wife Elayne Craft.
Funeral services will be held Monday 11 am from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, with Pastor Mark Kimpland of Endwell United Methodist Church, officiating. Entombment will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home, Sunday from 1-3 pm. Expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org or Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine www2.vet.cornell.edu