Craig Byrne, 46, died peacefully in his sleep on June 30, 2010 at his home in Chelsea, VT. Craig had survived almost 2 years of treatment for metastatic osteosarcoma, his second round of cancer in 12 years. From the moment of his diagnosis to his death, Craig was an inspiration to all those around him for his optimism and unwavering strength.
Craig was born in Queens, NY October 23, 1963 and moved to Garden City, NY, graduating from Garden City High School in 1981 and Dartmouth College in 1985. Active in scouting, Craig achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Craig had a passion for travel and languages and was a Youth for Understanding student to Norway in 1980 and studied abroad in Germany and Italy while a student at Dartmouth.
After graduation Craig went to work at JP Morgan as an international private banker for 10 years. Craig met his life partner Sally Hostetler in 1989 in New York and they were married in a Lakota ceremony on their property in Vermont in 1994.
The couple moved to this property in Chelsea, VT in 1996 with their first child. Craig started a consulting business, in which he was later joined by his brother Chris, that eventually became the Orton Family Office. Craig, his brother and their spouses formed a “common interest community” to co-own their wonderful farm in Chelsea.
Music was a large part of Craig’s life, from his first air guitar band in 7th grade with best friend Paul Jensen to trumpet in the high school band to The Aires at Dartmouth. He was a member of many bands from New York to Vermont, mostly playing classic rock. For the past 10 years he has sung and played bass and guitar with Nancy’s Problem. He most loved making music with his children. He also enjoyed theatre and dance and was involved in many productions and variety shows, his favorite being the role of Judas in the Barre Players production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2005. He helped write musicals for his children’s school, Wellspring Waldorf School and loved directing.
Craig was a loyal friend and found it nearly impossible to say “no” to a request for help. Consequently he was sought by many for counsel and truly enjoyed doing all he could for others. He served on several boards, most notably for the Wellspring School and Chelsea Green Publishing.
An optimist to the core, Craig truly believed that anything is possible and his consistent reply in these last difficult years was, “It’s all good.” He was a student of life and looked for the lessons in every situation, feeling strongly that it was attitude that makes what life throws at us good or bad.
He is survived by his beloved wife and children, Sally Hostetler, Amos, 14, Isabella, 11 and Augustus, 5 ½, his parents James and Carolyn Byrne of Garden City, NY and New London, NH, his brother Chris and wife Heidi Chapman and niece Hattie, his aunt Dr. Monica Vecchio, uncles David and Anthony Byrne, many aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.
There will be a celebration of Craig’s life at 2PM on August 7 at the family farm in Chelsea, VT. There will also be a memorial mass at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic church in Garden City, NY in August .
Donations may be made to a fund for the education of Craig’s children c/o Sally Hostetler, 198 Densmore Rd., Chelsea, VT 05038.
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