Craig Nuttall

It is with heavy hearts and sadness that the family of Craig A. Nuttall announce his passing on September 16th, 2026. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and dedicated member of the Dryden community.

Craig was born in Port Arthur and started working at the age of 12, delivering groceries with his bike and wagon for Veitch’s Grocery Store. At 16, he joined his Uncle Tom working at T. Eatons & Co. for 5 years. Craig sold cars for a year, then moved to Dryden in 1959 to sell cars for Euler Motors, and Lobreau Motors. He loved selling, and in one summer month sold a car every day.

It was in Dryden he met the love of his life, Lesley. They had two children, Tom and Lisa. Craig is survived by his loving wife Lesley of 65 years. Daughter Lisa, Grandchildren, Catherine, Sara, Alissa, Karra and Devin, and great-grandson Daemon. Passed on before him was his son Tom, Parents, brothers Robert, Ronald, and sister Livina.

Craig devoted much of his life to serving others and giving back to the community he loved. As well as small towns in N.W. Ontario. He served as Mayor of Dryden from 2010 to 2015, after previously serving two terms on Town Council. His commitment to Dryden extended far beyond municipal politics. He served on the Dryden District Hospital Board, Dryden Police Service Board, was elected three times as President of the Dryden District Chamber of Commerce, and served as vice-president of the Northwestern Ontario Conservative Party.

He chaired many fundraising efforts that helped bring a new arena to Dryden after the original arena burned down. He spear headed the building of a solar-heated indoor swimming pool, and a Seniors Activity and Hall Center. He coached minor hockey with Bill Radford when both their sons, Tom and David played. Craig volunteered with numerous organizations, and even spent years playing Town Santa!

Craig received numerous honors throughout his life, including the Sportsman of the Year Award, a High School Teachers Award for Excellence in Education, the Bi-Centennial Medal for good citizenship in Dryden and Ontario, recognition as “Man of the Month” in Trade and Commerce magazine, and, in 2012, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his services to Canada.

Craig was also an entrepreneur, owning and operating several businesses with Lesley throughout his life, including Clean More Service, Royal Pizza Palace, and later Nuttall Consulting, where he worked with municipalities and Indigenous communities. He consulted for MPAC visiting small communities offering help for several years. After years of work and service, he retired in 2018.

While Craig accomplished much throughout his life, his greatest legacy will be the people he touched. He was someone who gave his time, opened his heart, and worked tirelessly to make his community a better place. His kindness, dedication, humor, and willingness to help others will be remembered by so many. His legacy of service and generosity will live on in those who knew him.

Rest peacefully, Craig. You gave so much to so many, and you will never be forgotten.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

Go Fund Me Link : https://gofund.me/186d3e2c0

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to Lesley Nuttall via e-transfer lesleyrose@shaw.ca