Shrewsbury – Craig W. Belba, 41, of Shrewsbury, passed away Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016.
Craig is survived by two sons, Jordan and Gabriel Belba, a daughter, Alise Lavigne Belba, all of Holden; his mother and step-father, Angie M. Hanley and husband Gary of Shrewsbury; his father, William C. Belba of Shrewsbury; a sister, Stacia A. Reilly and husband Sean, and their children, Connor, Parker, and Teagan, all of Westborough; his paternal grandfather, Christy Belba of Auburn; and his former wife, Shana Harris of Holden.
He was born in Worcester, but was a lifelong resident of Shrewsbury.
Craig graduated from Shrewsbury High School, Johnson and Wales University, and Becker College. He was currently enrolled at Worcester State University, furthering his education.
Craig suffered a traumatic brain injury several years ago, but with the love of his family, his own perseverance and strong sense of faith, and with the support and generosity of The Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, he was able to return to college to continue with and further his already broad scope of knowledge, and return to work as an architectural designer with Acropolis Design Consultants.
He was a member of Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church. He enjoyed keeping fit at the gym, spending time canoeing on the waters of Lake Quinsigamond, and anything related to Star Wars. He loved his family and could not have been any more proud of his children, nephews, and niece.
Calling hours for Craig will be held Thursday, Aug. 11, from 4-7 p.m., in Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester, with a Trisagion Service held at 5:30 p.m. during calling hours. His funeral will be held Friday, Aug. 12 from the funeral home and departing at 9:30 a.m. in procession to a 10 a.m. Liturgy at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, 34 Gold St. (corner of Gold Street and Route 140), Shrewsbury. Interment will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park of Paxton.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, 30 Lyman St., Suite 10, Westborough, MA 01581 (Checks should be made payable to BIA-MA) or by visiting www.biama.org.
