August 21, 1921 - March 10, 2023
With great sorrow the family of Alan Sharpe Craighead announces his passing on March 10, 2023 at the age of 101. Predeceased by his first wife Joan Mowbray, his daughter and son-in-law Frankie and Derek Cameron, son Michael Craighead and son-in-law Allan Lane. He is survived by his loving wife Eva, daughters Ann Lane and Laurie Rottluff, daughter-in-law Wendy Craighead as well as nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Alan was born August 21, 1921 in North Vancouver to Andrew E. Craighead and Frances E. Sharpe and remained there until he attended military college at RMC Kingston when WWII broke out. While a cadet at college he submitted an application to the Indian Army, where on acceptance he was posted to Skinner's Horse in India where he achieved the rank of Major. With his regiment, he was initially dispatched to north east Africa, Eritrea, Abyssinia, the Sudan and then Egypt. When India gained their independence in 1947 he travelled to London where he met Joan. They married in New York and travelled through the United States to return to North Vancouver. There they raised their four children while he built up a successful Custom Brokerage, Milne and Craighead which eventually had offices in BC, Alberta and Ontario. He also was instrumental in the forming of the Canadian Customs Brokers Association and was elected the first president of this association.
Upon his retirement to Roberts Creek, Alan engaged in commercial fishing. When he realized it was taking him away from his family too much, he sold the boat and bought his beloved "Lady C" a 1951 XK120 Jaguar. After the death of his first wife, he enrolled at Simon Fraser University where he attained a BA in archaeology and then went on to the University of Cambridge to attain his PHD in the study of archaeology. During this time he met his second wife, Eva, and together they travelled the world, including trips to the Antarctic, Buenos Aires and India in 2003 for the bicentennial celebrations for Skinner's Horse and an around the world trip in 2005.
As per his request, there will be a celebration of his life at a future date.
