Lincoln Wayland Craighead

Lincoln Wayland Craighead, age 100 years old, died peacefully on 3/9/25 at 8:32 p.m. Lincoln resided at the Mozaic Jewish Home in Bridgeport, CT from 4/23-3/25; however he was a resident of Fairfield, CT from January 1951 to April 2023.

Lincoln was born in Merion Township, PA on February 18, 1925 to Cicely Wayland and Magruder Craighead. He spent his formative years in Scarsdale, New York. During this time he developed his lifelong love of sailing as a member of the American Yacht Club in Rye, New York.

A child of the Great Depression, he remembers his mother giving bread to destitute men who came to the kitchen door; and at the tender age of 13, driving his first car, a model T Ford, on country roads around Scarsdale, where the door flew open every time he took a sharp turn. His mother Cicely died when he was 12, as a result he shipped off to Exeter Academy for the remainder of his secondary education. Lincoln attended Yale University and graduated in the class of 45W with a BS in Industrial Administration and Engineering. While there he was also enlisted in the Navy’s officer training program. After graduation he served in the US Naval Reserve until the end of World War II.

Lincoln began his work life as a Chief Plant Engineer at Handy and Harmon, then worked at Trio Industries attaining the position of Vice President. He ended his professional career as the owner of the Connecticut Blackboard Company.

Throughout his life Lincoln engaged in many civic and volunteer roles; for the Town of Fairfield he served on the Representative Town Meeting, the Republican Town Committee, the Board of Recreation, the Board of Education 1962-1971 (three years as a chairman) and the Charter Revision Commission, and the Transportation Advisory Committee. He was a founding member of the board of directors for Parish Court, board member of the Mill River Wetlands, Fairfield YMCA Board of Directors, and Chairman of the YMCA building committee.

After his retirement at age 70 he volunteered for many years as a Project Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bridgeport and a member of Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), NASD Board of Arbitrators, and University of Bridgeport Board of Associates and treasurer of Friends of Open Space. He also qualified for his Merchant Marine Officer License-Inland/Near Coastal 50 Tons Power/Sail with Assistance Towing continuing his lifelong love of boating.

Lincoln was married to Mary Evelyn Donworth Craighead on August 14th, 1948 until her death on November 30, 1977. He married his 2nd wife, Mary Lou Lincoln Craighead on October 1979 until her death on April 1st 2001.

Lincoln is survived by his four children: Lincoln Wayland Craighead Jr, Evelyn Carey Craighead, Caroline Donworth Craighead, and Laura Susan Craighead and his son-in-law Peter Samuel Reich; his granddaughter Cicely Allegra Reich-Staniulis and her husband Jason Anton Staniulis, grandson Carey Lucas Reich, great-grandson Elliot Charles Staniulis; and 3 step children: Cynthia Alden Smith, Tracy Smith Van Buskirk and her husband Peter Caulkins Van Buskirk, Andrew Logan Smith, and his step-grandchildren Elisa Logan Van Buskirk and Dana Lincoln Van Buskirk. As well as his longtime companion and dear friend Frances Baldwin.

A private burial with family members will take place on March 28th.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on March 29th at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 661 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Fairfield.