May He Rest In Peace

We've lost another member of our class.

THE SUNDAY TENNESSEAN(May 3)carries news of the passing on April
28,2009 of our classmate Robert Michael (Mike) Craven. Mike was living in Crofton, MD at the time of his death. He had just observed his 58th birthday on April 21.

While attending Ryan, Mike excelled in athletics, lettering in varsity baseball his sophomore and junior years, and in both baseball and basketball in his senior season.After leaving FRHS, he earned a B.A. degree at DePauw University where he again lettered in baseball.

Mike was a career sales representative, starting out in the shoe industry with Timberland. His career then took him to the Bay Area of California where he lived for over 20 years and where he developed a passion for tennis.

The last decade of his life Mike was a sales representative in the furniture industry for Fairfield Chair Company, working in the states of Maryland and Virginia.

His TENNESSEAN obituary offers these tributes: "Mike touched many lives. His fun loving, colorful approach to life made all those who he knew laugh and smile....Mike says he will see you in the next adventure."

Mike is survived by his mother, Mary Fitzgerald Craven and his eight brothers and sisters, John, Susan, Donna, Joe, Cathy, Beth, Mark and Jim. He also leaves behind nineteen nieces and nephews and two great nephews. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 A.M.,Tuesday, May 5 at St. Stephen Catholic Community in Hermitage.
For his friends in Maryland, a party in his honor will be held at a date and time to be announced.

Contributions in Mike's memory can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105.

Mike was one of our classmates who lost touch with Father Ryan over the years. He is also now among several classmates who have passed away in recent years. Here is a list from the Father Ryan Alumni Office, although it may well be incomplete.

Danny Boyd
William "Billy" Buckner
Andrew Cantrell
Jack Long
William Martin
Mark Mogan
General Bernardo Negrete
Bill O'Donohoe
Kenny Potts
Mike Rohling
Charlie Rosa
Johnny Shelton
Henry Swider
Mike Watson
Mike Craven

As we gather together for our 40th Class Reunion the first weekend in June, let us all pause for a moment, say a prayer and remember our Father Ryan classmates that have gone before us.

UPDATE: Another sign of the high esteem Mike Craven achieved in his industry comes from this article printed April 30 in the trade publication, FURNITURE WORLD MAGAZINE:

Sad Note: Mike Craven,CHR Passes