John L. “Jack” Craft
John L. “Jack” Craft, a longtime Beacon resident, entered into rest December 21, 2005, at Wingate at St. Francis, Beacon. He was 79.
He was born in Newburgh December 23, 1925, the only child of Harry J. and Helen Miller Craft. On February 1, 1948, in the rectory of St. John the Evangelist Church, he married the former Angelina “Angie” Vallo. Mrs. Craft survives at home in Beacon.
Mr. Craft graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in January 1943. He was a US Navy veteran serving during World War II. He was also a member of the Southern Dutchess Country Club for many years.
On February 8, 1948, he began electrical engineering courses at New York University, In March 1951, while a senior at NYU, he received honorary keys and inductions into Tau Beta Pi, a national honorary engineering fraternity, and Eta Kappa Nu, a national honorary electrical engineering fraternity. He received a BEE cum laude from NYU on June 6, 1951. In June 1959, he received an MEE from Syracuse University.
On June 11, 1951, Mr. Craft began a 40+ year career with IBM. He transferred from data systems to IBM research in 1954 and in 1956 was promoted to Senior Engineer, Manager.
In 1959 Mr. Craft joined a research group in machine language translation. The group designed Russian translation systems, one of which was a centerpiece for the IBM exhibit at the 1964 World’s Fair. Upon completion of the translation project, Mr. Craft transferred back to the Data Systems Division in Poughkeepsie. He received a first plateau invention achievement award for seven patents. In 1967, he transferred to the Components Division, East Fishkill. For his contribution, in 1989, Mr. Craft was awarded a Components Division Outstanding Contributions Award. During his career, he authored several technical publications. In January 1992, Mr. Craft retired. After retirement, he managed the family investment portfolio.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Craft is survived by his sons, Gregory Craft, and his wife, Linda, Glenmont, NY, and Matthew J. Craft, Poughkeepsie; grandchildren, Jessica Craft, John G. Craft, and Christina Bernhard.
Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, December 23, 2005, at Halvey Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Willow Street, Beacon.
A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, December 24, at St. Joachim’s Cemetery, 303 Washington Avenue, Beacon, with Pastor Tony Beck officiating.
Donations in memory of Mr. Craft may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society, 421 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205 or to Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 1 Arquilla Drive, Beacon, NY 12508.
To send the family a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit www.halveyfh.com.
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