Memorable Manitobans: Donald William Craik (1931-1985)

Engineer, MLA (1966-1969), MLA (1969-1973), MLA (1973-1977), MLA (1977-1981).

Born at Baldur on 26 August 1931, son of Ira Donald Craik (1890-1981) and Cordelia Bella Mae Young (1896-1981), he was raised at Greenway. He obtained a BSc degree in Engineering at the University of Manitoba and a Master of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. He served as director of the Manitoba Research Council from 1964 to 1966. He was actively involved in Manitoba politics from 1966 to 1981, being elected to the Manitoba Legislature in June 1966 and re-elected in 1969, 1973, and 1977.

He served as Minister of Mines and Natural Resources (1967-1968), Minister of Energy and Mines (1979-1981), Minister of Finance (1977-1981), Minister of Youth and Education (1968-1969), Minister Responsible for Manitoba Forestry Resources Limited (1979-1981), Minister Responsible for Manitoba Hydro (1977-1981), Deputy Premier (1977-1981), and Acting Leader of the Opposition. He retired from politics after his defeat in the 1981 general election, but continued as Chairman of the Progressive Conservative Manitoba Fund. At the time of his death, he was President of Northwest Consulting Associates and Chairman of the Board of Fine Line Communications Limited.

He and wife Shirley Hill (later married to Henry Edmison Duckworth) and they had three daughters. He was a member of the board of trustees of Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. In 1977, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal.

He died in his sleep at his summer cottage on Clearwater Bay, Ontario on 2 September 1985.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Craik’s General Store (Greenway, RM of Argyle)

Sources:

Obituary [Ira Donald Craik], Winnipeg Free Press, 23 March 1981, page 51.

Obituary [Cordelia Bella Mae Craik], Winnipeg Free Press, 7 October 1981, page 67.

“Craik dies in sleep; Lyon mourns old friend,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 September 1985, page 5.

Members of the Legislative Assembly (deceased), Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 5 September 1985, page 50.

We thank Oliver Bernuetz for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 29 November 2022

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!