I first saw Craig playing at a festival in High Park with Leigh Ashford, probably in 1971 or so, and I thought "whoa, this guy is serious!" He was so good.

Much later, I found myself living in the same apartment building as Craig, and that's when I got to know just what a kind, thoughtful, and gentle soul he was. The last time I saw him would have been in Winnipeg in 1995, when I was on the road with the musical Tommy.

We did talk occasionally, but I wish we had stayed in touch more. So sad that he's gone. He was one of the good ones. 😕❤️

Here is a photo of Craig , Dave & i in the studio recording "Living Room"

Craig was an amazingly musical and talented drummer and a gentle loving soul. Anyone who met him and heard him play was impressed. I met him in Toronto in the 90's when he was working with Dianne Heatherington; and we recorded with her on "Heatherington Rocks" LP. We travelled together with Sandy Chocinov (bass) with Terri Crawford. We reconnected in Manitoba, and played dates as a trio with a few great bassists incluing Sandy, Ken Sinneave, and Greg Dunstan. Pictured with Craig and I are Dave Maurakis and John Ervin. We also performed with Jenny Butler and Janine Gobeil.

Condolences and gratitude to Barb and family for all of the love and support.

craig was our drummer in lodon around 87. he was so good we bought him a kit!

Craig was a real gentleman.

I enjoyed reading Dave Garber's comments about his time with Craig in Toronto.

i only got to know Craig many years after his escapades in Toronto. I think the first time that we met was at the Railway Club in Vancouver. Craig and Sandy were playing with Ellen McIlwaine.

We lost Sandy first then Ellen and now Craig is gone as well.

Barb, as I said on the phone today, if there's anything that you think I can help with, by all means let me know.

Our sincerest condolences to Barb and family.

Jocelyn and I could see the joy that Barb brought to Craig's life. He had a love of bikes and keeping in good shape. Also a fabulous drummer that I was lucky enough to work with. Craig brought a lot of professionalism and class to the Winnipeg music community. He will be greatly missed by all.

Barb had told me about this guy she had met and gone on a few dates with. She said she liked him and invited us to go see him play at the Casino. We became friends immediately. When we first met Craig we thought what a quite, polite, reserved guy, until one weekend at the lake. This was probably the first time at Craig's cottage. . Barb and I are in the cottage and Craig and Randy are sitting on the deck when Craig hollers out "beer me bitch". Well Randy thought Barb would come flying out the door with frying pan in hand instead of a beer. Well that set the tone for the many weekends at the lake to come and many get togethers in Winnipeg.

We miss you Craig

My name is Michelle Lecuyer, i was Craig's caregiver from middle months throughout 2024-2025. When I first meet Craig we instantly connected on several levels we both had a dry but effective sense of humour so I knew we were gonna be a good team together and cheer each other on with a positive attitude and i was right we both accomplished that Craig was an amazing man. I was always able to make him laugh even though his darkest days and got appreciated for it each and ever time I left. He communicated with me very well and proudly talked about his love for his wife Barb who stayed strong and steady on her feet while I was visiting and always treated me like family he proudly talked about son Steven and daughter Erin whos always been there for him and lastly his presious grandchildren Enzo and Ellie who you can clearly see a twinkle in his eyes when talking about them- Was a Very proud papa ❤️‍🔥 Craig and I both loved the smells of the flowers on the ba, taking walks throughout the complex and going to our favourite store called dollarama where we both loved chips, coconut chocolate bars and for him always had to buy batteries because he loved his flash lights.. what would he do without them? 😆 We would both converse into serious conversation regarding news then laugh at the stupidest things but it didn't mater be at the end just as long as it put a smile on his face it warmed my heart knowing that I walked out of this on a good note even through his darkest days, Craig i will miss your kindness, dry sense of humor and gentle soul.

Our deepest condolences to Barb and family and Craig's family on the passing of Craig. We first met Craig when we flew to Winnipeg just a few days before he and Barb were married. Right from the moment we met Craig we knew what an incredibly loving, caring and kind man he was. He was a great conversationalist and was forever making you laugh.

Craig and Barb came to vist us in Burlington, Ontario for a week in 2015 and we had such a wonderful time together. Our evening dinners always included salad and we could never have enough lemons in the house for him. He used to devour them like anyone else would eat an orange. Of course, we had to tease him about that.

We had fun times touring around and I have added a lovely photo of Craig and Barb taken in the Toronto Distillery District. Also, a must was taking in an afternoon at Roc'n Docs in Mississauga enjoing Blues music. There he met a saxiphone player from his days playing with Downchild Blues Band. What an amzing time we had seeing Craig link up with his friend again.

When visiting Craig and Barb in 2023, you could see the struggles he was having medically. But, what a truly corageous and determinded attitude he had. His love for Barb and family kept him working every day to be present, loving and caring in every way.

We will miss you, Craig, and know that the precious memories that your family has will give them great comfort in the days ahead.

Below Sandy Chochinov ( bass) and Craig Killer Kaleal

Here is a photo of the best Canadian rhythm section of all time

Two of my closest friends who I miss dearly

Craig and I were very close in the 80's ( sounds so long ago ) . We played with the Diane Heatherington band for several years . We were the best of friends in Toronto . We lived in the same apartment building rigjht across the hall from each other on Eglinton and Yonge St. We walked, talked, ate and laughed with each other every day. Our stint with Diane had come to an end and we were bot frustrated with the Toronto scene ad ragged about it day abd night :) All we wanted to do was play our instruments and perform ! Easier for me because I played guitar but not for Craig, there was no way you could play drums in that apartment building . The main floor was full of older people and we were the young trouble makers in theie eyes . Myrtle ( I cant believe I remember that name) lived next to Craig and had it out for the both of us . I can remember so vividly Craig setting up his " yellow Sonar drums" and walking around them multiple times adjusting the cymbals the hi hat making sure everything was perfect ! He would sit down on his drum stool and put the sticks in his hand in the playing position- get up - adjust some more - sit down ... gasping .. frustrately .. Then he would look at me and say I am going to play I dont care about these old farts ... :) Then he would take everything down put them away meticulosly in the cases and we would head outside for a beer and sub and a place called Hockey Submarine on Yonge . This went on for weeks and weeks ...

One day I came home and there was all this commotion noise and yelling .... stop him call the police !! said Myrtle and others .

I went down the hall and opened Craig's door and he was playing his drum kit intensely ! He saw me and we laughed so f hard it was crazy .. I got my guitar out and we started jamming *uckem we said and we just let out all our frustrations . I dont remember for certain but I think the police came and ended it . It was one of those moments I will nevr forget . I loved Craig Kaleal , I miss him .. I am sorry I let so much time go between us . What a beautiful gentle kind soul .

We first met Craig approximately 26 years ago when he first started courting Barb. Or perhaps I should say Barb was courting Craig. Barb lived next door to Murray, my late husband, and I for about 25. As we watched thew love grow between them, we new they were a perfect match. Soon a wedding was planned and their life together began. We had many visits accross the fence and in our back yards, Our friendship with Craig grew. Murray and Craig had many beers while Murray watched Craig clean a bike. Craig's bikes were his pride and joy.

We shared many a laugh and I must say they were the best neighbours one could ask for. It was a sad day in our house when they moved into their condo.

Craig you will be missed. My condolences go to Barb and all her family. Also to Craig's family and friends.

Grade 12

Photos

I first met Craig when he returned from playing with Witness Inc to finish his Grade 12 in 1970, while I was in Grade 9 at the same high school in Saskatoon. As a young aspiring drummer I definitely knew who the blegendary Craig Kaleal was.

I was fortunate to take some lessons with him, later bought his Gretsch drum kit and went to see him play anytime I could over the years. I ran into him when I was walking down Yonge St. in Toronto after a sports competition where I injured my shoulder. He invited me to come and see him play at the famous El Mocambo the next evening. Such an amzing and unique musician and yet such a humble man. He was an inspiration to myself and many other musicians.

i continue to treasure the memories I have of Craig and feel very grateful to have crossed paths with him.

I have attached Craig's grade 12 high school photo, the time when I saw him in Toronto and a photo of him playing the same Gretsch kit that I later purchased from him.

Bet wishes to his family loved ones.

Our condolences to Barb and family on their loss of Craig. We were sorry to hear he had passed away. A friend for many years, we knew him to be very interesting, humorous and caring…and an extremely talented musician. Craig loved drumming and was modest about the recognition he received as one of Canada's most outstanding drummers. For decades we enjoyed hearing that unique style he had and were thrilled when he played at our café with his friends Lewsh and Spider. The memories your family has of so many good times with Craig will be comforting at this time of great sadness. Mary Anne and Barry Shore

Pictures

I have nothing but loving memories of many family gatherings shared with Uncle Craig. Christmas's on Belcourt Bay when our cool uncle from Toronto came to visit, thanksgivings, weddings and fun lake days. He was always there to support our family through difficult times too. His great sense of humour, (always with that mischievous grin) , loving caring nature and ferocious appetite (which always annoyed my mom as he never gained a pound) are special memories of a great uncle 💕

My deepest condolences to Barb and the family on the passing of a dear husband, father, grandfather, and friend.. I met Barb and Craig when I moved into the same condo complex 12 years ago. Craig was always a very kind and caring person with a good sense of humour. One day about a year ago, I met Craig outside the complex. I mentioned to him that the power was completely out and he couldn't use the elevater. Even our emergency lights were not on. Barb was not home at the time. He told me he would just wait outside for Barb. I said I was going to use the stairs. Not even 10 seconds later he called me to say he was coming with me. We slowly climbed the dark stairway and made it to the 3rd floor. After he got settled he wanted a beer. I think he wanted Barb to think he was at home the whole time, and she would be upset if she knew he had been outside on his own and going up the stairs with no light. I know he never told her about that day, but eventually I did. I will miss you Craig, as well as many other people will. Rest well.

Two stories about Craig and myself:

We enjoyed going to movies, one for the entertainment, and also just to get out. Craig was often very tired and during one long movie he fell asleep, his head eventually agsinst my shoulder. I smiled ear to ear laughing to myself at what others thought of us.

After another movie we stopped for a beer. Only one I may add. It was winter and there were large snow banks on either side of the walk leading up to Craig and Barb's apartment. Craig was proud and liked to walk on his own. Eventually he caught his toe on some ice ridge and began to fall over into the snow. I tried to grab him but had to dive over him as I fell too. We ended up lying in the snow in a tangled mess. A man who was 10 metres behind us ran up to us very concerned and asked if we needed help. We were laughing and I said " no but thank you. We're just pissed!"

I miss you my friend.