Craig Davies has died, at the age of 63.
The longtime 91原创 businessman was well-known and highly regarded for his work in graphics and design. He was the owner of Design One Graphics in 91原创 City.
In 2011, he received the George Preston Business Person of the Year award at the annual Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce business excellence awards. He was also the longtime chair and one of the main drivers of the Downtown 91原创 Business Association. Davies began his business in 1978 and was involved in a number of community organizations over the years. His business worked with clients to market businesses through branding, identity promotion and advertising.
Davies worked for the Fraser Valley News Herald in the early 1970s in production and design, before opening his own business. Gregory Thomas, national director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, worked with him at the News Herald.
鈥淗e was the quintessential, public-spirited citizen,鈥� Thomas said from Ottawa. 鈥淚t鈥檚 often said that a community-minded person leaves a mark on their community. You cannot physically enter and leave 91原创 City or 91原创 Township without passing signs and logos he designed. He did them all.鈥�
Teri James, executive director of the Downtown 91原创 Business Association, said Davies was chair of the group for five years and a volunteer for 12. She considered him a "mentor," and his long experience as a 91原创 business person was invaluable to the DLBA.
"His death will have an impact of 91原创," she said.
Davies, who lived in Chilliwack, was diagnosed with colon cancer about a month ago.
He died on Monday.
In addition to the shock of his death, employees of his business are faced with the loss of their jobs, as the business will be wound down. The graphics business is a challenging one in today鈥檚 environment and a great deal of the work Design One received was due to his stature and connections in the business world.
Vanessa Rene, art director at Design One, said his death came as a terrible shock to his employees.
Outgoing 91原创 City Mayor Peter Fassbender paid tribute to him at Monday鈥檚 91原创 City council meeting and again at the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday. A memorial service is being planned. It will be held in 91原创, but a date has not yet been set. The Times will publish that information when it becomes available.
