Craig Damon

Craig Wilson Damon died peacefully at home in Chestertown MD on July 16, 2025, after an
extended illness. He was 90. He was raised in Youngstown, OH, and following in his Father’s footsteps earned an Architecture degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1960. He spent happy undergraduate years at Hiram College, Hiram OH.

Craig lived and worked in Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Chicago until retiring with his wife,Lolli, to Chestertown MD in 1996 where they fulfilled a dream of living on the water and cruisingin their Trawler. In addition to the Chesapeake Bay, with its many delightful marinas and anchorages, they ventured as far north as Block Island, RI, and south to the Florida Keys.

A creative and talented residential architect, Craig moved into the corporate world as Chief ofPublic Building Construction for the City of Baltimore where he was project manager for the construction of the National Aquarium.

In 1970 he was named Jaycee’s Young Man of the Year for Maryland, an award recognizing leadership and commitment to improving the lives of others. In Baltimore he advocated for residents impacted by redevelopment projects and donated the architectural expertise needed to rebuild a Black church destroyed by a fire.

A position as Corporate Architect with Nielsen Media Ratings took him to Chicago and when Dun & Bradstreet acquired the company he became responsible for office and production space in 19 countries. Fortunately, Lolli’s job also involved travel so they were able to meet up in romantic cities, Craig’s favorites being Paris and London.

In retirement, Craig was welcomed by Kent County’s architects and was in demand for smaller local projects. His sure eye can be seen in many residential and commercial structures,including pro bono work. Grounded in the Bauhaus less-is-more ethos, influenced by modernists like Frank Lloyd Wright, he would sometimes frustrate clients by refusing to include non-functional decorative items such as window shutters into their house designs.

Active in the community, he was president of the Fairlee Creek Civic Association and a member of the Chestertown Economic Development Committee. A lover of books and reading, he served on the board and was president of the Friends of the Kent County Public Library.

But his greatest contributions were to the development of Chestertown as an arts center. In 1999 he was one of the founders of the non-profit, ArtWorks Craft & Art. Guiding the fledgling organization from the ground up, from patching holes in the walls of its home in the old Radcliffe Mill to mounting exhibits and musical events, he and a group of enthusiastic art lovers created a space for artisans, artists and everyone in town who enjoyed the arts.After 10 successful years, ArtWorks merged with the Chestertown Arts League to create Chestertown RiverArts community art center. Craig designed the beautiful exhibit space on High Street that was its home until recently.

Craig will be missed by our community and those who loved him. Along with his wife Lolli Sherry, he leaves the mother of his children, Seldra Funk of Catonsville, MD, daughter Suzanne Damon of Pittsburgh PA, son Craig Arthur Damon (Leslie) of Essex VT and nephew David Damon (Pam) of Cincinnati OH, who was like a son to him. He also leaves three grandchildren,two great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and the family dog, Ryder.

He was predeceased by his brother Walter A Damon, mother Mary Wilson Damon and father Herbert Walter Damon.

Craig was a generous contributor to non-profit organizations. Topping his long list were Doctors Without Borders, Planned Parenthood and the Humane Society.

He was also a supporter of the historic Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, where many of his family members are interred. He made plans for his cremains, along with his brother’s, to be buried there.

Respecting Craig’s wishes to “just have a party when I’m gone” a gathering in his honor will beheld at a future time.