Kenneth Craig Hall, 61, of Lee: Rockwell model and ‘volunteer’s volunteer’

Lee — K. Craig Hall, 61, passed away November 6, 2014 at home surrounded by his family following a well fought-battle with lung cancer.

Kenneth Craig Hall

Born in San Francisco, Calif., on July 12, 1953 he was the eldest child of Kenneth Mason and Manuela Viviana “Vivian” (Mora) Hall. His early years were spent in California and in 1958 moved to his father’s hometown of Stockbridge. Craig attended the Stockbridge Plain School and was a 1972 graduate of Monument Mountain Regional High School.

As a child he spent time traveling with his father to deliver paintings for Norman Rockwell to various cities along the east coast. In 1967 Craig posed for and was used as the model for Norman Rockwell’s painting “New Kids in the Neighborhood.” He was the young boy, out front, wearing the yellow sweater with the baseball glove in hand and dog at his feet.

Craig had a lifelong love of cars. He worked as a mechanic for the family garage, Hall’s Auto Service in Stockbridge, from his teenage years until the late 1990’s. He also worked as a heavy equipment mechanic for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority in Lee from 1978 to 2007 and at Athena’s Restaurant following his diagnosis.

On June 4, 1977 Craig married the former Lois A. Miller at the Glendale Chapel. They celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary this past June.

Craig found great joy and relaxation in going to car shows, camping in New England with his family, and watching his grandsons grow and buying them ice cream.

Craig was a volunteer’s volunteer. Over the course of his life he was a member of the Berkshire County Forest Wardens, Stockbridge Men’s Bowling League, and was a member and Past Master of Occidental Lodge AF&AM. And although he was not an official member, Craig was always helping out in one way or another at the Stockbridge Grange, helping with maintenance or taking tickets at the door at the monthly Sunday dinners.

But the organization that he dedicated a greater portion of his life and time to was the Boy Scouts of America. Craig started as a Cub Scout parent with his eldest son in 1986. This led to him becoming Cubmaster of Pack 45 in Lee for over 25 years. He was also an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troops 45 and 3 in Lee, was a member of the Appalachian Trail District Committee, a former Commissioner, Council Board Member and Staffer for many years at Chesterfield Scout Reservation. He also enjoyed working on the Motocross Staff at the National Scout Jamborees in 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2010.

Although he only made it to Second Class as a Scout in Troop 30 in Stockbridge, he helped countless young men attain the rank of Eagle Scout, proudly seeing both sons attain the rank in 1997 and 2002. He was a James E. West Fellow, Vigil Member of Memsochet and later Pocumtuc Lodge of the Order of the Arrow and was awarded the District Award of Merit for the Appalachian Trail District as well as the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award a local council can honor a volunteer with.

When Craig was given a diagnosis of lung cancer in November of 2008 he refused to let it get the best of him. He was bound and determined to fight it as long as he could. He also did his best to help others who were going through the same thing he was by encouraging them to keep a positive outlook on life and to never give up.

Besides his wife Lois of Lee, Craig is survived by his three children, Joshua David Hall of Pittsfield, Nathan S. Hall of Torrington, Conn., and Allyson L. Hall of Lee; his daughters-in-law Rebecca and Joanna; three grandsons, Andrew, Conor, and Jameson, to whom he was known affectionately as Grandpa No Hair; his brother Steven A. Hall and his wife Diane of Housatonic and sister Gail M. Schriefer and her husband George of San Jose, Calif., as well as, extended family and friends.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 12 at 10 a.m. at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington, conducted by Monsignor John Bonzagni. Burial will follow at Stockbridge Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home in Great Barrington.

Donations in memory of Craig may be made to the Park 45 of Lee or Occidental Lodge of Masons through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances may be sent to his family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.

The family would like to thank Dawn and Hospice Care of the Berkshires for all of their help.