William Lee Craven

Lee was born in Cohoes, New York to Horace E Craven, Jr and Frances Beale Craven on July 18, 1950. From his early years, he loved the water. He spent many years summering on his families’ “camp” on a lake in upstate, NY.

When Lee was a teenager he, his mother, Fran and his beloved “Nan” vacationed in Tarpon Springs, FL. They came to love it and the 3 of them moved to Holiday, FL. Lee was then registered in Gulf High School, New Port Richey. At that time, it was a rural area and most of the guys wore overalls. It was definitely a culture shock for this New York teenager. He begged his mother and Nan to allow him to return to Troy and live with his uncle Bill and aunt Bet so he could complete his schooling there. After completing his college degree at Hudson Valley Community College in 1971, Lee returned to Holiday. Lee was then hired at Karl Flammer Ford in Tarpon Springs. He loved it as he loved cars and great at working on them.

In 1972, Lee and his friends were visiting Madeira Beach, FL and that is where Peri and Lee met 50 years ago. In 1976, we welcomed our son, Joel. We couldn’t have been more proud. Lee and Joel were buddies from the get go and have been ever since. Lee taught Joel everything he enjoyed, playing pool, boating, fishing, hunting, fixing cars, woodwork, scuba diving and fixing and building anything and everything. Lee was the quit one and although he was a casual dress guy, he would always put on a suit or tuxedo to attend events with Peri.

When Joel was in college, he met Melissa Bifulco. They started dating and eventually married. We were then blessed with adding to our family, the Bifulco family. Joel and Melissa became proud parents to Cole. Lee was so excited. Lee began the early stages of his disease when Cole was 2 yrs old. As Cole became a little older, he loved Papa’s power chair and we would place him on his lap for a ride. It was a little scary as Cole located the toggle switch pretty quick. They played board games and cards. They were both competitive and just enjoyed each other. They became buddies. Cole loved it when Papa could go to his birthday parties, baseball games and any other event via Care Ride.

Lee was a quiet individual but his actions were his voice. He was an avid reader and enjoyed completing crossword puzzles. He could read a book in a day. He had a great work ethic, very compassionate, intelligent, always helping people, a perfectionist and loved his family. At any time, day or night if anyone needed assistance with anything, he was there. There really isn’t anything Lee couldn’t fix or build. His love of history is amazing. Lee was the quiet one and although he was a casual dress guy, he would always put on a suit or tuxedo to attend events in the community with Peri. Peri was always jealous of Lee that he attended Woodstock.

Lee was very courageous when battling this disease. He had never really been sick. Obviously, he had his moments but never allowed the disease to define him in a negative way. He never questioned, at least vocally, “why me”. He became very frustrated because he couldn’t do everything he did before. He did try though!

There are many amazing family, friends, physicians, clergy and too many others to mention that provided phenomenal care for Lee and his family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Guthy Jackson Foundation or St Jerome Catholic Church, Raise the Roof Campaign.