Craig Brian Wallace Of Hampton Bays Dies December 7

Craig Brian Wallace of Hampton Bays died peacefully at his home on December 7. He was 86.

He was born February 9, 1935 to Joseph and Viola (née Pracht) Wallace, and grew up in Amityville, where he was a volunteer for his village’s fire department.

After serving in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves for six years, he spent his entire career in the automobile business. Wallace was general manager at Frame Chevrolet in Mineola, and later started his business, Eastern Wholesalers.

As his reputation spread, he also became a trusted provider of handpicked cars for his retail clientele. His motto was: “It’s not just the car, it’s the care.” His reputation for honesty and his incomparable work ethic were widely known in his community and set a great example for his children, his family said.

He moved his family to Hampton Bays to live close to the water, owning a series of boats so he could be out on the local bays with his wife, children and dogs, Troy and Prancer. Wallace was community-minded and served as president and a member of the Board of Directors of Old Harbor Colony for many years. He was happy to help anyone in need and did so at every opportunity, his family said.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Marcia (née Brice); children Kimberly, Philip (Christi), Mark (Jennifer) and Gregory; grandchildren Megan, McKenzie (Keaton), Jack (Summer), Mary (Jared), Ethan, Seth (Hayley), Benjamin (Ellen), Isaac, James, and Lee; great-granddaughter Ellory; sister Jacqueline; nieces Debbie, Donna (Reid), and Erin (Paul); cousin Fritz; other relatives; and great friend Dennis.

Gratitude is expressed to the Veterans Administration Home-Based Primary Care Team for their invaluable assistance helping Wallace with the effects of Parkinson’s Disease and to the many caring and compassionate members of East End Hospice whose tender support allowed him to spend his final months at home with his wife and son, Gregory.

The family will receive visitors at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 959 Middle Road in Riverhead on Saturday, December 18, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a service to follow from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. To join digitally, send a request by Friday to Craigw.memorial@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made to East End Hospice (eeh.org) or Maureen’s Haven (maureenshaven.org) would be appreciated by the family.