IRVINE – Craig McKay

These last few days have been a daze. You were to be ok. You are only 59. God had different plans and as the weeks turn to months then years l’m sure I will understand..
I know u are now at peace. No more pain.. will miss you bro. Love Jan xo

We have been blessed to have you as part of our neighbourhood. We will miss your friendly waves and driveway catch-ups. Our deepest condolences to Fiona, Kenzie and Cully.

Mate, it has been an honour and privilege to call you that. I value the friendship we have shared between our families through the years. I appreciate your humour and generosity, your intelligent and practical outlook on life in general and I remember the times when we tried our best to save the world. Thanks for all the active, organic and constructive discussions. Finally, what an amazing and loving husband and father to Fiona’, Kenzie and Cully. You have been so awesome and you will be sorely missed! Rest Well in your Maker’s arms!
Liyin,, Simone, Erik, Belle Weckmann,

Condolences to Fiona & family on the lost of their husband a father.. A gentle soul now at rest..

The pain that attends Craig’s passing has no cure.
And whether we shall meet again, I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take. Forever and forever, farewell. … iIf we do meet again, why, we shall smile. If not, then this parting was well made You were a special man who has left us too soon. You’re now in the arms of Jesus. We’ll miss you. May flights of angels sing thee to thy perpetual rest. Prayers to your family, and much love, Sharon Paul (TFF) and John Paul.

I’m so sorry to hear of your passing Mr Irvine. You were so kind to me and I’m really sad. Thankyou for all the stories while you helped me at school.

Ava Piper

My deepest sympathy to Craig’s family. Apart from being Levin friends of his family I taught Craig in my first year teaching, He really was such a lovely little boy. Possibly more interested in drumming with two pencils than the skills of early reading. My thoughts are with you all at this time. Lynn Edwards(Wilson).

We are deeply saddened at Craig’s passing. Craig had a great smile and fantastic sense of humour to match. We will miss the chats at Le Grange. Thanks for being a wonderful and kind neighbour. Fiona, Kenzie and Cully you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love Matt, Jo and Lexi 💙

To Fiona, Kenzie and Cully, I am so sorry for the loss and sorrow you have experienced in the past couple of weeks. I am praying that as you take time to reflect, you will be comforted by the very nature and character of who Craig was… a man of integrity, of great humour, someone who stood his ground and went above and beyond in all he did. I am honoured to have called him a colleague and a friend. We developed a very strong bond in a short period of time as we swapped notes, ideas and plans on how to manage the kids we worked with. He was funny, cheeky and determined. What a comfort to know that he is now with Jesus.

To Fiona Kenzie & Cully,

We started our journey together in Victoria Police Pipe band

Throughout the years he was always there but never a problem always fitting in with who was the new leader.

What a drummer friend and Charlton supporter.

Miss u Kuwi!

We are so sad to have to say farewell Craig. We have treasured our friendship. Le Grange catch ups, your cheerful wave and lively discussions. Your love for your family and your passion for your work always shone through.

To Fiona, Kenzie and Cully, our deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
With our love,

Craig … I never met you but had contact with you via Kenzie when I taught her in her first year at Chairo, Drouin. The strong faith, positive attitude and solid character of your daughter is a reflection and tribute to the way in which you and Fiona have been raising her.
Prayers for the whole family and God’s peace, presence and provision for you all during this difficult time and in the months and years ahead.

Denise Whittaker (Chairo, Drouin)

Our hearts are breaking for Fiona, the girls and family. Some fantastic memories while Craig stayed at The Glynhill with Victoria Police Pipe Band. We also had the priveldge of attending Fiona and Craigs wedding and them ours.
Our love to everyone ❤

My heart is breaking for your beautiful family! You certainly were one of a kind! I feel very privileged to have called you my friend. You were such agentleman, always there to offer love and support and a kind ear. You were hilarious and had an awesome sense of humour! I will miss you dearly! This definitely wasn’t your time and you sure deserved more laps around the sun! Thank you for being an amazing friend to myself and my family! Sleep tight xxx

Our hearts and thoughts are with you all, Craig was taken too soon, remember all the good times and there were many. Rest in peace Craig.

Dear Mr Irvine,

My heart breaks whenever I come to think you won’t be enjoying lunch and a laugh in the staff room with us any longer. It was an honour to serve alongside you.
We all miss you dearly.

Praise God for his tender love and mercies.

To a wonderful remote learning supervisor offsider, friend, and support person, I will miss your chats, support and musical creativity at Grey St.
My sympathies and prayers to all who mourn his passing especially Fiona, Kenzie and Cully. Till we meet again, enjoy the heavenly music Craig. Will be watching the service on fb. Love, (Miss) Christine Morris.

There are no words to adequately express our sorrow at losing Craig from our community. Craig was a valued colleague and friend, full of joy with a beaming smile and encouraging word. He loved working with the students, especially the Preps, and they loved him. Craig was a man of integrity and responsibility, always willing to ‘go the extra mile’ to support staff and students – he will live on in our hearts.
Our love and prayers go out to you, Fiona, Kenzie and Cully. Thanks for sharing Craig with us, it has been such a privilege. We miss him terribly. but know he is now safe in the arms of Jesus.

My heart goes out to Fiona, Kenzie & Cully on the loss of their wonderful soul mate & father.
Craig, your smile always lit up amongst your friends at LeGrange, accompanied by newsy snippets, witty comments and of course offers of free bin space. It was so exciting to watch you return to the workforce and to become so involved in work that you knew was important. Those young people were fortunate to have been blessed by the support of someone who truly cared.
We mourn the loss of a gentle man.
Rest peacefully Craig.

Our heart felt sympathy goes out to you Fiona, Kenzie and Cully.
It has been an absolute privilege to be part of Craig’s life journey. A true genuine gentleman, very friendly and positive no matter what life put his way.
We will miss his expertise and thoughts in the drumming world and the wonderful, loving, fun man he was.
Rest In Peace Craig.

Love Barry and Lois Law

Fiona, Kenzie and Cully,
My deepest sympathy to your family.
It’s hard to find words at this unimaginable time. Your love for your husband and much loved Dad will be etched in your hearts forever along with the beautiful memories you made .
Sue Meall

Craig, it was such a blessing to know you and to work with you. I will fondly remember our staffroom chats. You were such a gentle man with a heart of gold and I will miss you very much.

We’re so sorry we can’t be with you Fiona, Kenzie and Cully. Craig was such a great dad and husband to you, his loss seems so unfair. Sending love and thoughts too to Roberta, Stephen, Jan and Lynda. We had some good times with Craig here in Scotland and pray that memories of his easy chat and cheeky grin will be a comfort to you all, especially his girls xxxx

Thoughts, prayers, and blessings to the Irvine family as we all say farewell and grieve the passing of Craig. Now with the loving Father in the place prepared for him so long ago, resting in peace and sharing his joy.

Although I had not known Craig for long. In the last 12 months, we worked together, were in the same bible study and church . We became friends and I will miss him. Working with him was a blessing. “Do you think we can do that Craig” I would ask “Absolutely” would be his reply. Craig was also a fellow “Kiwi” so he always understood me. Knew where my hometown was without explanation. We had lots of discussions over the lunch table, but with out a doubt his favourite topic was talking about “his girls” he was so proud of you, Fiona, Kenzie and Cully. and he dearly loved you. No words can adequately express the loss you must. feel. I remember how excited Craig was to study Hebrews 11, the faith chapter. Thankful that he is now one of those great cloud of witnesses cheering us on. .

How sad when goodness, humour, faithfulness and love like this come to an end. This is what I saw in Craig in the short time that I knew him.
But I give thanks that his life and example – that reflected many great qualities was because of Christ, His Lord and Saviour. This is what made the difference.
I was only starting to get to know and appreciate Craig – especially as we studied the bible together. He was so excited to study Hebrews – especially Chpt 11 – the Faith chapter. How appropriate this is what he had discovered and trusted – and we too can hold to – at this time.
‘being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see’.
Praise the Lord, Craig now experiences the fulfillment of this faith in Christ.

Rest in peace Craig I am so lucky to have meet you with love from Sandra

Craig, we are so blessed to have had you work alongside us at Chairo. Every time you walked into our classroom the children, with the biggest grins, would yell your name in excitement. You brought such joy and love to our classroom, Mr Irvine. It was an honour to work alongside you and call you a friend. You are so dearly missed.

I send all my love and prayers to you Fiona, Kenzie and Cully x

My deepest condolences to you all, R.I.P Craig 🙏

Roberta, Steve, Lynda, Jan, Fiona, Kenzie and Cully

Deepest sympathy from Christine, Gordon, Andrew Warren
I remember I met you when I dated your neighbour John, and you were groomsman at our wedding a year later.
You had lived next door to John for many years, and he had many memories of you and your family.
We lost touch when you moved to Australia, but when John died 10 years ago you were one of the first people to get in touch to offer help from afar.
John often spoke of you and we often looked through all his photos and the ones of our wedding. Your smiling face shone through many of the photos,

My deepest sympathy to your families, both In Australia and New Zealand.
Rest in Gods love and keeping
Chris,

I am sitting watching the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Melbourne and was thinking about Craig. We were best mates back in Levin before I moved to Wellington when I was 9. We stumbled across each other again when he was a patient in 14 East, Austin hospital, Melbourne. I was the nurse on night duty. We were supposed to catch up but never did (I regret that very much). Very sad to see Craig has passed on and we will never have that opportunity. My condolences to his family. Arohanui.