Craig M. Ayers' Obituary
Craig Myron Ayers, age 74, of Clearwater, FL passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. Craig will be greatly missed by his wife, Bonnie; his mom, Joann Ayers; his 2 children, Skyler Burke (Karrisa), Aurora Remer (Brandon); his 3 step-children, Lauren Lamb (Hector), Joseph Anzalone, Michael Anzalone (Danielle); his 9 absolutely adored grandchildren: Mila, Adam, Declan, Ridley, Durham, Eli, Alden, Ashlyn, Walker; his sister, Lisa Ayers; and his sweet pups, Bella and Behr. Craig is preceded in death by brothers, Kurt Ayers & Andy Ayers and parents, Margaret Ruth Womersley and Myron Theodore Ayers.
Craig was born on October 1st, 1948, in Akron, Ohio. He graduated from North High School, before attending Bowling Green State University and then The University of Akron where he graduated with a BA, cum laude, in 1970. He then attended Mankato State University in Minnesota, where he studied Urban and Regional Planning, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in 1974. From there, Craig attended William Mitchell College of Law, also in Minnesota, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, and was admitted to practice law for the state of Minnesota in 1982 thus beginning his accomplished career of practicing Labor Law, Employment Law, Education Law, and Public Law. He represented hospitals and clinics, construction firms, manufacturers, education, nonprofits, and governmental employers.
During his time as an attorney, Craig kept himself busy outside of his working hours. He worked as an Associate Vice Chancellor/Labor Counsel for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, as well as an Assistant State Labor Negotiator for the State of Minnesota. He was a lecturer for the National Business Institute. He served as an Adjunct Professor of Law teaching Collective Bargaining at William Mitchell College of Law. He was a representative for the Minnesota Supreme Court where he bargained the merger of judicial districts into the state court system. And in 1988, Craig authored a 27-page article, published in The William Mitchell Law Review, titled: "Constitutional Issues Implicated by Public Employee Drug Testing.”
Though his education and career are impressive, perhaps the most incredible component in Craigs’ life was his physical heart and his determination to live a full life. Craig suffered with cardiomyopathy, a disease that made his heart twice its normal size, making him a candidate for a heart transplant, at a time when heart transplants were still considered experimental, and not yet covered by insurance. Craig was determined and began fundraising to afford his new heart at a value of $150,000. With the help of friends, family, donors, and the liquidation of his very own assets, Craig was the recipient of a new heart on February 25, 1984. He would eventually and luckily become the second longest living heart transplant patient in the United States. This coming February would have been 40 years since the incredible procedure that added so many precious years to his life.
Being the incredible person that Craig was, he did not take that gift for granted. In 1989, Craig was one of four founding members of the non-profit organization, The Second Chance for Life Foundation. The foundation continues to provide patients with support and financial assistance grants to those also needing transplants.
In addition to his philanthropic and career responsibilities while living in Minnesota, he made it a point be a big part of helping to raise his two beautiful children, Aurora and Skyler with his then wife Karen.
Craig was so proud of them both and would tell their stories to everyone who listened. He spent time making sure they got to their practices and meets or games while each pursued two very demanding sports. For Skyler that was basketball, and Craig would always tell everyone his son was the highest scorer at a certain point in his college career. Aurora chose gymnastics, and Craig would share that she almost made it to the Olympics! Now they are both very successful adults and parents with careers and growing families. He could not wait to show pictures and tell stories about his children and any of his 9 grandchildren as well!
Craig eventually decided to retire and move from Minnesota to Florida, where he eventually met the love of his life, Bonnie, in 2012. They were married amongst the presence of their dearest family and friends on a beautiful yacht called “The Rainbow”, on March 9th, 2013. While they enjoyed a multitude of things together, Craig’s favorite part was welcoming into the world their incredibly precious 9 grandchildren over the next 10 years together. Craig was beyond proud of his children and grandchildren and would often brag about them to anyone who would listen.
Bonnie and Craig traveled both near and far, but the beach was always his favorite place. An avid reader, Craig could usually be found with a book in his hand, reading 2-4 per week. He was a passionate lover of rock music, mostly from the 60's and 70's. He could rattle off the name of a song, and its artist, after just 10 seconds of the song playing. In his lifetime, he attended hundreds of live concerts, while traveling all around the country.
One would think that welcoming 9 grandchildren in less than 10 years, almost constant reading, and traveling often with his adored wife would have kept him plenty busy. But in true philanthropic fashion, Craig made sure to spend time during his retirement serving as a volunteer, mentoring and assisting heart transplant patients at TGH, a true testament to his beautiful heart, both literally and figuratively.
Craigs wife, children, grandchildren, friends, family, and colleagues will remember him for his uncanny storytelling of his youth experiences and his funny jokes. One of his many talents was his ability to easily remember everyone’s name, thus having the special gift of making everyone feel important.
Donations may be made to Life Source, https://www.life-source.org/giving/make-a-gift/ or please donate to Second Chance for Life, in Craig's name, as he actually started this organization and was president of it for many years. the URL is www.secondchanceforlife.org
Please watch a YouTube link with an interview Craig did 4 years ago about heart Transplants:
https://youtu.be/emZRLW-HqsM?si=Q5QRWCwEGvpPEavO
Service will be available via live stream:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/
Event ID: 92290
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