Craig Raymond Short, 78, died peacefully on December 30, at his home among family and his trains after a Short illness. Born in March of 1943, he graduated from Barnstable High School where he played offense and defense for the football team. He went on to University of Massachusetts in Amherst where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in engineering. He was a beloved father to three children; Eric Raymond Short of Hyannis, MA, Rebecca Marie (Short) Robinson and son-in-law, David Robinson of Norwell, MA, and Daniel Jason Short and daughter-in-law, Abbey (Goeldner) Short of South Dennis, MA, seven grandchildren that called him Papa-Choo-Choo, due to his love of collectable Lionel Trains; Gwendolyn, Lillian, Eleanor, Sophia, Lucas, Blake, and Adam; and his former wife, Patricia Anne (Mallen) Short Holmes. He is predeceased by his father Alfred Raymond Short of Methuen, MA, mother Exilda Lumina (Caron) Short of Lowell, MA, sister, S. Lorraine (Short) Sollows, and nephew, Rick Sollows. He is survived by his nephew, Jeff Sollows.

From the time he was 8-years old to college, he helped his father build cottages at Norseman's Beach Cottages. After graduation from UMass he worked for six years at the Connecticut Transportation Department. He was a member of the "Super Traffic Team" consultants. After the death of his father, he came back to Cape Cod to manage his father's business and worked part-time as a civil engineer.

He grew his civil-engineering business, C.R. Short Engineering and Design, PE, full-time and focused on design and construction for residential and commercial buildings. He continued to expand his engineering practice to include septic and sea wall design and was known as the professional that brought elegant solutions to complicated problems. He was one of the first members to be elected to the Old Kings Highway historical committee. He managed his house of design and engineering from 1973 until retiring in 2008.

His interest in preserving the past while developing into the future inspired him to preserve and move the house of the third minister in the town of Dennis from the Dennis Village Green to Tory Lane where he resided for many years with his family. He volunteered for the Town of Dennis construction team as foreman and supervisor for the Town of Dennis Village Green Gazebo.

On his professional engineering business card, he also noted that he was an avid train collector. Always a kid at heart, he loved collecting, selling, and sharing his train collection, especially with his seven grandchildren. He created an expansive train layout, which was complete with flying planes, cattle cars, aquariums, and a Christmas Village to enjoy year-round. He frequently commented on how he could get things built in a miniature world a whole lot easier than in real life. He also loved gardening and looked forward to seeing his flowers bloom each year.

After retirement he acted and served on the Dennis Conservation Committee where his ability to solve problems made him an excellent recruit. He understood the need to protect the environment and fragile ecosystem of Cape Cod, while allowing for development.

Always the jokester, he loved to grab one of his children around the shoulder and at 6'2" would joke, "Look! A pair of Shorts." Or his favorite, “If my last name was Shorter, it would be longer.” He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Craig died from complications of congestive heart failure. Craig was so thankful he was able to go home from the hospital.

Friends and relatives are invited to a celebration of life on Sunday, January 16, 2022 from 2:00-2:45 P.M. at Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA. With safety in mind we encourage people to join via Zoom during services.Please direct message Eric, Dan, Abbey or Rebecca for details.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

 

9/10/23---Just read this notice when I was "pushed" to google him by something......you will ne missed my friend.................Craig was and shall always be an inspiration to me as I was recruited by him while getting a divorce and was homeless, he gave me solace, a place to live & in return I taught him how to build "western framing" and deal with sub-contractors.....in return he taught me how to engineer the trusses for my first house's roof...........all through his early years as a builder he was a true gentleman and friend and I loved working for him...my true sympathy and sorrow to all his children ....he shall always be missed but NEVER FORGOTTEN.......Jim

In the early 1960’s, South Dennis and the town landing road off Mayfair Rd. lead to Follins Pond: a destination point to several summers of magic. The Norsemen cottages adjacent to the landing provided a respite for family vacationers; with all the sweet summer amenities; row boats, sail boats, swing-sets, shuffleboard, horseshoes along with the wooden outboard cruiser; the “baby huey” moored just to the right of the “diving raft”. As the tourist season began, Craig’s booming voice and laughter had a lot of presence and was a memorable hallmark for this vacationer neighborhood that played out every June, July & August. Who could forget Craig surrounded by his eager friends, gathered at the shoreline, raking up the seaweed and rigging and outfitting the boat for a special water based event upriver. Big grin and big hearted, Craig was host to some special times. Rich memories indeed! Condolences to you all.

We are so sorry for your loss. Jim remembers your Dad dancing like a wild man all night at your wedding. He was a great dancer and full of fun. Love to you all.

You have been my friend since I was ten years old. I met Deb while cruising Follins Pond with you as a teenager, looking for babysitters to take water-skiing. Thank you for that, and you have been my good friend since then in the sunshine and in the rain. You're the kindest, gentlest man I've known, and our world will be a bit dimmer without you. Bud and Deb

My condolences to the family. Craig was a good friend, always a professional and always, always a true gentleman. He will be missed.

Craig was an inspirational character for me, following him into the local civil engineering world as I did. By sharing his ideas though calm, gentle guidance in addition to his willingness to donate his (likely) scarce time to his community he provided that rare, often unseen, generous assistance that makes things everywhere better than they might have been. Thank you Craig. Will miss you. Bob

Eric your girls Sophia & ___ ; family and friends. So sorry for loss of your Dad. So glad I met him few times. May his memory be for a Blessing; RIP. Condolences to your sister, family's and friends. Hugs Miss Judy

My heartfelt condolences to the Short family. I was very young the last time I saw Craig, my mom Joan (Sunderland) Maynard was Craigs cousin, my Grandmother Alma was Exildas Sister. May peace be with you in this time of loss. K Maynard

I am so so sorry for the loss of your Dad. Much love to you all. X

The picture here is exactly how I remember him: white hair, a smile, and a booming laugh. There are parents of childhood friends who are kind and funny, and then - if we're lucky - there are some who we hope become proud of the adults we grow up to be. Craig was both. His impact on me extended into my own parental years, as I find myself occasionally mimicking how Craig interacted with me, with my own kids: a ruffle of the hair accompanied by a "Short" quip or a "How ya doing?". Dan, Eric, and Becca', I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember him.

Dear Rebecca: I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. This is a beautiful tribute to him. I will keep you, your Dad, and the rest of your family in my prayers. May your Dad rest in peace with the love of our Lord and may your wonderful memories and the love you have for your Dad stay with you and comfort you forever. With sympathy, Ruthie

Craig was always larger than life to me! I remember him most water skiing behind the Cottage ski boat "The Baby Huey"! My brother Rick was much closer in age so he was able to hang out with Craig a lot more than me but I was still able to spend time listening to surf music with them. In those days he always seemed to have girls hanging out with him at the cottages, something that always interested me! I was always Fuffy to him! Not sure why but it just sounded right coming from him. I was also fortunate, later in life, to have a professional relationship with Craig! He was extremely intelligent and had great integrity. His insight on numerous issues will be greatly missed. My family wishes Craig's family the very best in this difficult time.