Brother of Karen Brigode ’74 passed away

Craig Thomas BRIGODE

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BRIGODE Craig Thomas Craig Brigode, age 53, of San Francisco left us after a long and courageous battle with cancer on November 7th, 2011. Craig was born on March 12th, 1958 in Toledo, Ohio to T. Dale and Mary Frances (McManus) Brigode. Craig attended St. Rose Grade School and Perrysburg Junior High School. He graduated from St. John’s Jesuit High School in suburban Toledo in 1976, and later attended Bowling Green State University. He was a Boy Scout, and was in the marching band in middle and high schools. From the age of 14 he was working part time after school at Mills Hardware on Perrysburg’s main street. Moving to San Francisco, CA in 1979, he found work as a custom floor sander, renovating Victorian Houses. By the end of the 80’s Craig was utilizing his retail experience, working in several hardware and specialty paint stores in San Francisco. In 1979 Craig met his future wife, Nancy (Stafford). They have lived in the same house in the Inner Sunset for the last 31 years, which Craig extensively renovated himself. Craig most enjoyed camping and hiking, preferring not just Golden Gate Park but also the Peninsula and the Sierra, where he was a cross country skier. Other hobbies included model rocketry, following sports, and rock music (loud). He and Nancy had traveled all over the United States, and had visited Spain, Australia, and New Zealand as well. Craig was very proud of his over 9 years of sobriety, and was a faithful participant and leader in his local AA Chapter. He also cherished his shareholder’s certificate in the Green Bay Packers, who were, in his opinion, the real “America’s Team”. Craig’s remarkable courage and stoicism during his illness, as well as his ever present sense of humor, has been a source of inspiration and support for his friends and relatives. Craig was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister Darcy. In addition to his wife Nancy, Craig is survived by his sister, Karen of Perrysburg, Ohio; brothers David of Sonoma, CA; Keith (Denise) of Perrysburg; Bruce (Barbara) of Perrysburg; and nephews Nicholas (Amanda) of Maumee, Ohio, William of Columbus, Ohio, Andrew of Sonoma, Charles of Perrysburg, and Dylan of Sonoma; Mother and Father-in-law Marnell and Bill Stafford of Erie, PA; and beloved Cat SlartiBartFast. Craig belonged to the Church of Monday Night Football. A private ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 20th for friends and relatives. Donations are requested in Craig’s memory to the Brigode Family Science Scholarship Fund at St. John’s Jesuit High School.

Published in Toledo Blade on November 13, 2011