Craig Dell, 54, passed unexpectedly on July 19th. He was born on the Fourth of July to Max and Rita Dell of South Williamsport, PA. He was a Mountie graduate and went to work with his father at Maximus Custom Built Homes for 28 years. Craig was a bartender for Domer’s Bar and Grill for many fun years. His most recent employment was at Gas Well Security in Linden. Craig was a member of the Young Men’s Republican Club and played football and baseball during high school. He loved his Raiders and was an avid golfer. Craig played in many tournaments and golf leagues throughout the years. He was the 2000 Club Champion at White Deer. We all called him Delly, and he was the man. Craig is survived by his parents, sister Christine, brother Joe, and his darling niece. Delly was a popular guy with thousands of friends.
I heard the news via Facebook, and I immediately reached out to several chums. We were all in shock. I didn’t care about the details as I couldn’t believe that my man was gone.
Craig Dell and I were buddies, and we had so much fun. He was the best. I enjoyed seeing all of the posts and tributes over the next few days. Everyone loved the big fella — especially the girls. Delly was larger than life, and he had the biggest heart. He had a great smile and a legendary laugh. Craig gave the best bear hugs, and he made the best fudge. He coined the phrases PAL and HOLY SHOOT. Delly was a man of many talents. He knew how to read a tape. A few of our windows that he installed are now leaking. But they will never be replaced.
Delly was the life of every function. Everyone wanted a piece. I have so many great stories. It is only fitting that I shared a few on this page.
Delly and I were golf partners. And we played together in several events. I remember when he beat me for the 2000 title. I was so happy for my friend that day. It was one of his finest — a Cinderella story. You seriously couldn’t write a better script. Somehow, Craig Dell came out of nowhere to win the White Deer crown. He was our champ. We celebrated that one forever, and I couldn’t care less that I choked down the stretch.
A few years later, Delly and I decided to tee it up in the Williamsport Invitational. The premier better ball of partners, and we both felt our golf games were legit. What were we thinking? I don’t recall much from that week. Everything was a blur. But I remember scrambling to find big Craig Dell, a pair of golf shorts. WCC doesn’t allow cargos, and that was Delly’s usual. This was well before Amazon and TJ Maxx didn’t have anything in his size. Oh my. We finally scored at the very last minute. Maybe KMART? Then, to make matters worse, they made Craig tuck in his collared shirt. The children ran for the woods.
They announced our names on the first tee, and Delly was so dang nervous. He snapped, hooked one OB, and almost hit a car that was traveling north. He was in his pocket of those brand-new pleated shorts. Original Coors was his beer of choice. WCC had none. But we arranged with management to run to Mid-State for the back nine. They went back the next three days. You can’t make it up. Delly had to drive the cart the entire week because he couldn’t fit on the passenger side. He had a mighty swing, and I remember the extra-large divots he took. Beaver pelts. We ran out of sand. Craig and I didn’t play well, but we won the crowd.
We were never contenders, but we shook the most hands. Again. Everyone loved the big fella.
I recall a match that came down to the last hole. A thunderstorm came out of nowhere. The sirens called everyone off the course. We marked our balls and went to the bar. It continued to pour, and we were told that we needed to come back to finish at 6 a.m. I was on the green, sitting pretty. All I had to do was two-putt for par. Most folks would say we were good. Congratulations. But our partners didn’t think we would make it back the next morn. They actually picked up the next few rounds. I seriously don’t remember, but we found a way. Delly and I could hardly move, and we both had the whiskey shakes. Many folks were watching as I approached the green. I hit my putt, and it vanished. Dell and Spencer birdie. They will advance. My partner smelled like Coors, and he gave me the greatest hug. He laughed for the next three hours. That was how we rolled.
The circle of life is hard, and I hated hearing the news. I haven’t seen Delly in quite some time. But I reached out to him on his birthday, and he replied with a THANKS PAL. I will never delete that text. Much love to Max and Rita. The same to Christine and Joe. Craig was a beautiful friend. He will be missed. Cheers.
