Craig's Story
Craig was a lifelong resident of Bexley. He graduated from Bexley High School in 1998 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Ohio Dominican University. Craig developed many lasting friendships in the community through his volunteer work as an assistant track coach with the Special Olympics, religious school teaching, and participation in JCC and Bexley Parks and Recreation sports. During his celebration of life ceremony at Temple Beth Shalom, many of his friends shared their fond recollections of Craig: He was smart, funny, personable, a dedicated, caring teacher, a passionate runner, and a loyal friend. Craig also lived with the challenges of a non-verbal learning disability. He faced those challenges every day with resilience and an iron-willed determination to be successful, work hard, and never give up on his goals.
Craig’s defining passions were his work as a teacher’s assistant for children with autism and other special needs and his commitment to competitive running. He was a serious and disciplined runner. He ran 5ks, 10ks, and half-marathons. No race was too difficult. No race was left unfinished, ever. For more than 20 years, he trained on the streets of North Bexley and on the track at the JCC. His early morning or late afternoon training runs became fixtures to many North Bexley residents. He enjoyed chatting with other runners about their training techniques. Being a serious and competitive runner was a major aspect of Craig’s life that gave him great purpose, passion, and pride.
Craig’s other defining passion was his work as an assistant teacher. He worked for many years in schools throughout central Ohio in classrooms for children with autism and other special needs and in a therapeutic recreation summer camp for special needs children. His own challenges gave him insight into the obstacles confronting these children and an ability to develop strategies to connect with them. He received numerous accolades from parents and colleagues for his patience, devotion, and success in working with special needs children. We can think of no better way to honor Craig than by establishing the annual Craig Kleiman 5k Run/Walk to benefit children with autism and other special needs. So please join us, from wherever you are, for Craig’s virtual 5K Run/Walk over Labor Day weekend. For those of you who knew Craig, we hope that fond memories of him will make you smile as you run or walk. And for those who didn’t know Craig well, please accept our thanks for taking the time to reflect on a life lived with passion and commitment. May Craig’s memory be a blessing.
Marc and Arlene Kleiman
Kara Hiller (Craig’s sister)
