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Craig

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Craig Farnsworth

TO VIEW THE VIDEO TRIBUTE FOR CRAIG, CLICK ON “MEMORIES” AND “VIDEO TRIBUTE”, then minimize this obituary page to view the Honoring Service and the Graveside Service. The broadcast will be available in its entirety at 4:00 PM EST – Friday July 3, 2009 for ninety (90) days.

The blogspot listed below is where Craig and his family have been posting. Copy and paste this web address into your browser to be directed to the blogspot:

www.factbasedspiritguidedpath.blogspot.com
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Bah Funeral Service for Craig A. Farnsworth, 57, of Euclid, will be held Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 7pm at The Slovenian Society Home, 20713 Recher Ave. Euclid, 44119.

Mr. Farnsworth died Wednesday at his home after his courageous journey with brain cancer.

He was born on November 10, 1951 in New Brighton, PA. He was a Market Development Manager for Radix Wire Company. Craig was devout to his faith and served as Chairman of the Bah Faith of Euclid.

He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Susanne Alexander, his children Michelle Tashakor (husband Hooman), David (wife Christina), Leah, and step-father of Jennifer DeMaria (husband Frank); grandchildren Karida Tashakor and Aidan Farnsworth, mother Lucille (nee Heck) Farnsworth; sister Nancy Tolles (husband Robert) of PA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Robert.

Family will receive friends on Thursday from 5:30pm until time of service and immediately following service at The Slovenian Society Home. Burial Service Friday July 3 at 10:30am at Lake View Cemetery (meet at the Euclid entrance beginning at 10am).

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Craigs memory to the Bah National Fund www.bahai.us; The Gathering Place, 23300 Commerce Park Beachwood, 44122 www.touchedbycancer.org or National Brain Tumor Society 124 Watertown Street, Suite 2D Watertown, MA 02472 www.braintumor.org/fdonate.

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SEE BELOW FOR FULL OBITUARY AND A TRANSCRIPT OF THE HONORING SERVICE FOR CRAIG.

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THE LIFE OF CRAIG FARNSWORTH

Craig Farnsworth was born in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, to Robert (Bob) and Lucille (Lu) Farnsworth on November 10, 1951. He was their first child, but his sister, Nancy, joined him 18 months later.

Craig attended high school in Chagrin Falls and then graduated from high school in Philadelphia in 1970. He attended Hiram College, graduating with bachelors degrees in Elementary Education and Applied Physics. While there, he played saxophone in the Jazz Band and managed a coffee shop as a volunteer. He sang and played guitar in the Hiram Road Show, a group of Bah musicians. Craig later took coursework through Landmark Education in personal and community transformation, as well as training to be a marriage educator/coach.

Craig first encountered the Bah Faith at his early church home, Federated Church in Chagrin Falls, where Bahs Pleasant Montgomery and Arlene Nedd (now Green) visited his Sunday School class. He became a Bah during his time at Hiram through interactions with Mary Jane Barbee (now Volkmann) and Marj McCabe.

Craig married Lynn McClive in 1975 at Green Acre Bah School, in Eliot, Maine, where they were both working. They later moved to Northeast Ohio. They had three children, Michelle (1976), David (1978), and Leah (1981). Michelle married Hooman Tashakor and later had Craigs first grandchild, Karida, who is now five years old. David married Christina Faught, and they have a two-year old son, Aidan.

Craig married Susanne Alexander in 1999 in Akron, Ohio. He then gained stepdaughter Jennifer (Coates) DeMaria, who is married to Frank DeMaria. Susanne and Craig committed to do their best to create a strong, happy family and to make an adventure out of most anything. They agreed to coach one another through personal healing and growth, with a great deal of success. One of Craigs children referred to him as a born-again father.

After four years as an elementary school teacher, Craig gained long-term employment with AGA Research as a research engineer, project manager, and program manager. He developed new appliances and achieved six patents during that time. He then went into technical sales, first with Tridelta Industries and later with Radix Wire Company in 2000.

Throughout Craigs employment, he maintained a high level of commitment to customer service and satisfaction, to excellence, and to keeping his managers informed. Together with Susanne, he founded Marriage Transformation LLC, a company that offers relationship and marriage coaching and materials. He helped create books, but he primarily served as the companys business and distribution manager. He co-presented workshops in the U.S., Canada, and China with Susanne.

Music was a significant passion for Craig. He played the guitar for children, youth, and adults at many Bah gatherings. He collected flutes and often played them for others. He raised his voice in song at choir concerts, prayer meetings, events, funerals, and gatherings of all types. A highlight was being able to sing with the 400+ member Voices of Bah choir on the stage at Carnegie Hall in 2002.

Craigs commitment was to make a difference for othersHe lived to serve. Below is a list of many of the ways he participated in service. Building community and bringing diverse people together in unity was Craig’s passion.

Dates Service

1963 Participant in the Childrens International Summer Villages program with international students, where Craig gained a foundation in building relationships with diverse people and gained an international outlook (Germany)

1971-1974 Volunteer manager for The Cell, a coffee house/gathering place, with music, at Hiram College

1971-1974 Saxophone player in the Hiram Jazz Band and singer/guitar player in the Bah music group called Hiram Road Show at Hiram College

1974 Teacher of childrens classes and provider of music for devotions at Green Acre Bah School (Maine)

1970s-2000s Adult mentor to many youth and young adults

1970s-2000s Volunteer Blood Donor, American Red Cross – VIP Hero

1984-2006 Member of School Board for Crimson Ark Bah School; childrens class teacher; singer for devotions/sing-a-longs

1988-2007 Member of the steering committee of the International Appliance Technical Conference, and Conference Chair of it in 1994

1980s Maintenance Volunteer, Louhelen Bah School (Michigan)

1980s-2007 Member Bah District Teaching Committee; Member/chair Unit Convention Planning Team; Institute Coordinator

1980s-2009 Helper to others through loaning vehicles, moving furniture, and providing computer support and hospitality

1990 Participant in a Bah teaching trip to Poland

1991-2004 Member of Planning Team for Midwinter Bah Youth Conference; teacher; morning rouser; broom pusher; workshop leader; coordinator of youth service projects, sayer of Goodnight you wonderful young people, and doer of anything else that needed to be done

1991-2000 Member of Bah Choir of Northeast Ohio; sang and played duets with Judy Parsley, including for the Celebrate the Covenant conference in 1998 in Sarnia, Ontario

~1993 Charter member of the Unity and Diversity Council of the Chagrin Valley

1993-2002 Member of Voices of Bah international choir; participated in Heartland tour in 1995; sang in Carnegie Hall in 2002

1993-2001 Facilitator of Honest Conversations Diversity Training in Chagrin Valley and Euclid; member of planning team for Race Unity Multicultural festivities in Chagrin Falls

1995-1999 Member of planning team for race unity activities, Chagrin Park, Chagrin Falls

1999 Moved to Euclid to strengthen its Bah community

1999-2006 Workshop assistant; Coach for Self-Expression and Leadership course for Landmark Education

1999-2009 Chairman, Spiritual Assembly of the Bahs of Euclid and Bah Group of Euclid

2000-2003 Member of planning teams for Race Unity Day in Euclid, including honoring Mayor Oyaski in 2000

2000-2004 Member of Executive Council of the Interfaith Suburban Action Coalition

2000-2004 Member and Secretary of Board of Trustees of Euclid Community Concerns, a civic organization addressing fair housing and community relations issues and working with neighborhood associations

2001-2002 Participant in the Leadership Euclid Program through the Euclid Chamber of Commerce

2001-2009 Tutor/Facilitator of Study Circles for Bah Faith courses open to interfaith participants

2003 Member of Planning Team for United Nations International Day of Peace, Euclid

2003-2008 Data Manager for Bah Faith, Cuyahoga County

2003-2008 Relationship/Marriage coach, co-leader of relationship and marriage workshops in USA, Canada, and China

2005-2006 President, Board of Directors, Better Together (formerly Cleveland Marriage Coalition)

2006-2007 Participant in Interfaith Thanksgiving Services in Euclid

2007-2008 Member, BRIDGES (Building Racial InteractionDialogue, Growth, Education, Solutions) steering committee and diversity committee in Euclid

2007-2008 VP of Membership, Positively Speaking Toastmasters Group in Beachwood

2007-2008 Participant in genetic brain tumor studies

2008-2009 Secretary, East Beverly Hills Neighborhood Association in Euclid

HONORING SERVICE FOR CRAIG A. FARNSWORTH

Welcome and Reading ” Holly Timberlake

Three Tools of Healing – A Message from Craig

Each of you has received a copy of the Three Tools of Healing poster that has been a companion for me throughout my healing journey. When I received the initial brain tumor diagnosis in July 2007, I took this poster with me to the hospital, along with extra copies. One copy went on the wall in my room, and the others went to medical staff, in my chart, posted at the nursing station, and to visitors. It traveled along with me and was posted on the walls of a variety of hospital and rehabilitation rooms. Each medical provider and caregiver, whether at home or elsewhere, received a copy. Friends and relatives stopping by our home took copies. I gave public talks focused on the posters message. All in all, I gave out hundreds of copies of this inspirational message to people.

Im convinced that practicing the Three Tools (medical treatment, prayer, joy & laughter) contributed to my healing, helped to sustain me through life-threatening events, enhanced the quality of my life, and extended my life. The poster inspired me, gave me hope, and sustained me throughout a challenging time. I hope it does the same for you. Love, Craig

[DJ] Music: O My Servant; The Bah Chorale; Words: Free thyself from the fetters of this world, loose thy soul from the prison of self. Seize thy chance, seize thy chance! O my servant! Didst thou behold a sovereighty immortal, thou wouldst strive to pass from this world, fleeting world, fleeting world! O my servant! O my servant! Be not content with the ease of a passing day, be not deprived of everlasting rest. Trade not the garden of eternal delight for the dust-heap of a mortal world. Up from thy prison ascend unto glory, Up from thy prison ascend unto glory, and from thy mortal cage wing thy flight, O my servant!

~ Based on Bahullh, The Hidden Words (Persian section), #39, #40, and #41; music by Ravi Shankar; choral arrangement by Tom Price

A few dear friends have joined Craig and Susanne in their home and participated in a spiritual study circle using Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. The last section of this book was on life and death. Members of the study circle will now read quotations from these Bah Writings about the soul.

Readings:

Joyce Ashman: Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God, in a state and condition which neither the revolution of ages and centuries, nor the changes and chances of this world, can alter. It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and power will endure. It will manifest the signs of God and His attributes, and will reveal His loving kindness and bounty.

Lynn Harris: The honor with which the Hand of Mercy will invest the soul is such as no tongue can adequately reveal, nor any other earthly agency describe. The nature of the soul after death can never be described, nor is it meet and permissible to reveal its whole character to the eyes of men. The Prophets and Messengers of God have been sent down for the sole purpose of guiding mankind to the straight Path of Truth. The purpose underlying Their revelation hath been to educate all men, that they may, at the hour of death, ascend, in the utmost purity and sanctity and with absolute detachment, to the throne of the Most High.

Linda Gruenspan: The light which these souls radiate is responsible for the progress of the world and the advancement of its peoples. They are like unto leaven which leaveneth the world of being, and constitute the animating force through which the arts and wonders of the world are made manifest. Through them the clouds rain their bounty upon men, and the earth bringeth forth its fruits.

Vanessa Mullins: The world beyond is as different from this world as this world is different from that of the child while still in the womb of its mother. When the soul attaineth the Presence of God, it will assume the form that best befitteth its immortality and is worthy of its celestial habitation.

~ Bahullh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahullh, pp. 155-157

Music: Nik Tressler and Debbie Boyd-Tressler sing a version of a Bah prayer that Craig arranged to the tune of Amazing Grace. This song was an inspirational gift to Craig in December 1994 during the final days in the life of Kevin Clavin, his friend and coworker. It was powerful for Craig ever since, and he sang it on many occasions, including funerals. Words: Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. ~ Bahullh, Bah Prayers, p. 85

Reading:

Melodie Yates: Many people have memories of Craigs musical offerings of voice, guitar, and flute. Here is a Bah quotation about music that Craig loved: We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high….

~ Bahullh, The Kitb-i-Aqdas, para. 51, p. 38

Tribute from Spouse: Susanne M. Alexander

Music: Judy Parsley

Reading:

John Cunningham: A friend asked: How should one look forward to death? Abdul-Bah answered: How does one look forward to the goal of any journey? With hope and with expectation. It is even so with the end of this earthly journey. In the next world, man will find himself freed from many of the disabilities under which he now suffers. Those who have passed on through death, have a sphere of their own. It is not removed from ours; their work, the work of the Kingdom, is ours; but it is sanctified from what we call time and place. Time with us is measured by the sun. When there is no more sunrise, and no more sunset, that kind of time does not exist for man. Those who have ascended have different attributes from those who are still on earth, yet there is no real separation.

In prayer there is a mingling of station, a mingling of condition. Pray for them as they pray for you! When you do not know it, and are in a receptive attitude, they are able to make suggestions to you, if you are in difficulty. This sometimes happens in sleep.

~ Abdul-Bah, Abdul-Bah in London, p. 96

Reading:

Matt Dunlop: The words, the deeds, the attitudes, the lack of prejudice, the nobility of character, the high sense of service to othersin a word, those qualities and actions which distinguish a Bah must unfailingly characterize their inner life and outer behavior, and their interactions with friend or foe.

~ Universal House of Justice, Lights of Guidance, p. 637

Tribute from Children: Michelle Tashakor,

David Farnsworth, and Leah Farnsworth present a photo slide show and eulogy

Reading: Nancy (Farnsworth) Tolles, Craigs sister

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. The earth is the Lords, … and they that dwell therein. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty. Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

~ King James Bible, Excerpts from Psalms 23-25

Music: Amazing Grace; Holly Tolles (flute) and Zack Tolles (guitar)

Prayer:

Marj McCabe: The following prayer helped Craig to stay steadfast in faith, and reminded him as he was losing the ability to speak that prayer is more than words:

Make firm our steps, O Lord, in Thy path and strengthen Thou our hearts in Thine obedience. Turn our faces toward the beauty of Thy oneness, and gladden our bosoms with the signs of Thy divine unity. Adorn our bodies with the robe of Thy bounty, and remove from our eyes the veil of sinfulness, and give us the chalice of Thy grace; that the essence of all beings may sing Thy praise before the vision of Thy grandeur. Reveal then Thyself, O Lord, by Thy merciful utterance and the mystery of Thy divine being, that the holy ecstasy of prayer may fill our soulsa prayer that shall rise above words and letters and transcend the murmur of syllables and soundsthat all things may be merged into nothingness before the revelation of Thy splendor.

Lord! These are servants that have remained fast and firm in Thy Covenant and Thy Testament, that have held fast unto the cord of constancy in Thy Cause and clung unto the hem of the robe of Thy grandeur. Assist them, O Lord, with Thy grace, confirm them with Thy power and strengthen their loins in obedience to Thee.

Thou art the Pardoner, the Gracious.

~ Abdul-Bah, Bah Prayers, pp. 69-70

Reading:

Ban Twaddell: The fleeting hours of mans life on earth pass swiftly by and the little that still remaineth shall come to an end, but that which endureth and lasteth for evermore is the fruit that man reapeth from his servitude at the Divine Threshold.

~ Abdul-Bah, Selections from the Writings of Abdul-Bah, p. 234

Reading:

Nevin Jenkins: A few years ago, Craig wrote down a statement of the purpose of his life. He stated it as follows: The purpose of my life is to be a loving servant-leader. This is my calling. This is my life. The values at the heart of who I am are: service, generosity, inspiration, dependability, compassion, community-building, hospitality, and steadfastness. What I can be counted on for is: listening with compassion, speaking encouragement, and acting with integrity and service. As Craig neared the end of his life, he stated that how he wished others to remember him was that, He lived to serve…

Tribute from Friends: Nik Tressler and Debbie Boyd-Tressler

Music: Ginny Kallay; Craigs poetry and her music compositions

Prayer for the Departed:

Rick Eastburn: O my God! O my God! Verily, thy servant, humble before the majesty of Thy divine supremacy, lowly at the door of Thy oneness, hath believed in Thee and in Thy verses, hath testified to Thy word, hath been enkindled with the fire of Thy love, hath been immersed in the depths of the ocean of Thy knowledge, hath been attracted by Thy breezes, hath relied upon Thee, hath turned his face to Thee, hath offered his supplications to Thee, and hath been assured of Thy pardon and forgiveness. He hath abandoned this mortal life and hath flown to the kingdom of immortality, yearning for the favor of meeting Thee.

O Lord, glorify his station, shelter him under the pavilion of Thy supreme mercy, cause him to enter Thy glorious paradise, and perpetuate his existence in Thine exalted rose garden, that he may plunge into the sea of light in the world of mysteries.

Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Powerful, the Forgiver and the Bestower. ~ Abdul-Bah, Bah Prayers, pp. 44-46

Memory Sharing ” When Was Craig of Service to You?

Family (first)

Friends (following)

Farewell Recording from Craig

[DJ] Craigs farewell message (pre-recorded)

Please Sing: Craig was well-known, especially among the Youth, for singing the song below. He pre-recorded it (along with Judy Parsley) and requests that you all please join in singing it.

[DJ] We Shall Not Fail

We shall not fail, we shall not fail