I share my eulogy for my dear friend Craig — who passed away a week ago (Sunday, March 8, 2026) today — at his funeral service this past Friday March 13, 2026, at Riverside Nassau North Chapel, 55 North Station Plaza in Great Neck, New York: 

[My wife] Shelly and I offer my deepest sympathies and sincerest condolences to Craig’s much beloved Amy and his daughter Nicole, Amy’s son Matt and Matt’s fiance’, Jesse.

I will cherish my friendship with Craig.  

I am certain we all do. 

What makes Craig special involves one word:

LOYALTY

We know Craig as loyal to his family, loyal to his friends, loyal to his work and loyal to the Pythian Order and its distinguishing principles of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. 

Indeed, one can go far and wide to find any person who better represents these core Pythian values.  

We know all he did for our Pythian Order including Supreme Lodge and Grand Lodge and FDR Lodge 613.  

The Supreme and Grand Lodge proclamations — posted for all to see on FDR’s News page — outline the posts he has held and hinted at his achievements.

Even more than Friendship, Charity and Benevolence, Loyalty matters most.  

Loyalty represents the highest praise I place on any relationship. 

When I think of my dear friend, I cannot help but think of the loyalty he shows.  

Loyalty includes being a loving husband and parent.  

I know Craig was that. 

On our many rides to Brooklyn to FDR and other meetings and events, I was present for texts and calls from his beloved Amy.

Craig was always thinking of her.  

Loyalty also means being a great friend.  

Many of us experienced that; we knew we could count on him.  

Loyalty also means perseverance and Craig’s life exemplified that value. 

I fondly recall back on October 10 –  2 days ahead of Craig’s birthday and 3 days after mine. 

In addition to we both celebrating reaching seven decades last October, each separately with our families, we jointly partied that eve with our lodge brothers.  

That night at FDR Lodge, we were recognized as Pythian Earned Life Members. 

Our friend Ted Pashko – with whom Craig maintained a friendship that endured some 46 years – again 46 years – made sure the collation that eve included a surprise – a Carvel Ice Cream birthday cake. 

46 years – that says something about loyalty.

Many knew Craig and Ted as the Twin Towers. This third wheel you see up here maybe was Seven World Trade.

Craig and I had planned to have breakfast yesterday – as we often did  – at our Gotham Network’s Gotham Queens Group.

In his absence we discussed Craig fondly.  

FDR was to meet tonight.  At Ted’s suggestion, we deferred the regular meeting and plan memorial to Craig next month [The Memorial has since been set up for Friday evening, April 24 at FDR’s Castle Hall at AOH in Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn.].

A card game this Sunday got canceled – Craig really enjoyed it when Eric Diamond and I invited him to become a regular our periodic poker gatherings.  When Amy asked me earlier this week why her husband had a lot of singles, I explained he was looking ahead to that game.

As much as I will miss Craig the Pythian, Craig the reliable Insurance professional, Craig the loyal friend, 

I will really miss the camaraderie – riding in the car, at the meetings and events, our calls and texts, and just hanging together. 

I miss my friend.  

We all do.  

We’ll always remember Craig Shink.

Thank you Craig for the memories, your good deeds, your loyalty and your friendship.

[View the service (jump ahead to 9 minutes for its start featuring a Pythian service; my eulogy starts at approximately. 30 minutes in.]