Obituary: Dr Tony Craig — GP and surgeon

Tony Craig was born and reared in Dublin. He was educated at Armagh Road and Templeogue College. He studied Medicine at RCSI on St Stephen’s Green and qualified in 1979.
He interned at the Richmond Hospital and from there, he began a career in surgery, working in various parts of the country including Navan, Cork and Dublin.

He then took a different path and changed to pursue a career in general practice.
Having experienced various NCHD specialty posts and GP locums, he set up a general practice in a newly-built area of Clondalkin, Dublin in 1988. He worked there single-handedly as a practitioner until his sudden passing last year.
Tony took immense pride in his work as a doctor and his relationship with his patients. In many cases, in latter years, he cared for three generations of families.
He was a dedicated, conscientious and much-loved GP. He took so much pride in himself for being ‘down to earth’ and was always able to relate to people on their terms. He was particularly empathetic in his approach to the elderly and young children. As one patient wrote, “Doctor forever had a smile to share, and always took time to care.”
He developed a spec-ial interest in drug addiction. He was the first GP to become involved in the Aisling Methadone Maintenance Clinic at Cherry Orchard, which was established in the early 1990s for HIV/AIDS sufferers.
He, in latter years, then carried on his interest as a Level 2 GP, offering detoxification and maintenance programmes for opiate addicts at his practice in Clondalkin.
He was particularly interested in and always worked hard at early intervention with young addicts.
He also retained his earlier interest in surgery by carrying out many minor surgical procedures in the practice.
Tony was a kind, generous, sincere and fun-loving person who lived life to the full.
He had a keen interest in foreign travel. He pursued many hobbies in his life, most recently flying small aircraft.
Tony became ill suddenly and died after a short time at Tallaght Hospital, where he received exceptional care in the intensive care unit.
He is survived by his wife, Dr Colette Halpin, two sons, his mother and two sisters.
In death he joins his youngest son, his beloved Stuart.
May they rest together in eternal love and peace.
— CH