Alfred Alan “Fred” Craven

Wilmington - Alfred Alan ‘Fred” Craven, 73, formerly of Taunton, MA, died peacefully at home on December 6 surrounded by loving family members, after a valiant battle with cancer.  
Mr. Craven, is survived by his wife, Meredith (Johnson) Craven (formerly of Maynard, MA); five children,  Alfred A Craven Jr., James (and Melissa) Craven, of Whitingham, Kajsa (and Ryan) Reed, of Longmont, CO, Taylor (and Allegra Cords) Craven, of Shelburne, and Eric (and Becca) Craven, of Wilmington; and five grandchildren,   Jairek Craven, Brianna Flanagan, Liam and Zeke Dufner, and Elijah Cullinane as well as another granddaughter on the way. He was brother to Barbara Studley and Deborah (and Joseph) Vasconcellos, of Taunton MA.  
He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Anita (Young) and Alfred Craven, brother-in-law, Bob Studley, and former wife, Joan Henry.
Born in Providence, RI, on July 25, 1946, Mr. Craven graduated from Taunton High School in 1964. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1965, was assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One, now known as the Seabees, completing his service in 1971. He bravely served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967, receiving a Bronze Star for his heroic service accomplished with distinction, along with the Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and two campaign stars.
A resident of Wilmington for over 30 years, he raised his family embracing the mountain air, as well as its townspeople, founding Craven’s Home Services, which he proudly handed down to his son, James.  In 2017, while weakened by chemotherapy treatments, he was presented with the Wilmington Police Citizen Award for assistance given to a police officer, “effecting the arrest of a violent offender.”
Known for his vigor, charm, and tenacity, “The Chief” enlightened many with his “words of wisdom,” usually centered on nature, survival, and making it in Vermont.  He saw to it that every work truck was clean and maintained daily, and enjoyed taking long rides on his Harley. Now at peace with the Great Spirit, he will be sorely missed, probably mythologized, but never ever forgotten.  
Please join in for a celebration of life, open to the public, on Saturday, December 14, from 2 to 4 pm at Historic Memorial Hall, 14 West Main Street, in Wilmington.