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The most loyal and committed member of Warkworth Association Football Club (WAFC) was remembered at a funeral service on August 22.
Craig Mitchell Julyan, more commonly known as ‘Craigo’, was born on June 8, 1960 and died on August 16.
He became involved with the football club when he returned to Warkworth, after living in Auckland, and was quickly involved with every aspect of it, although a number of health issues prevented him playing on the field.
WAFC former president Matt Bull fondly recalled him being at the club every Saturday to set up the pitch, support the teams and mix with club members.
“One thing I will never forget about Craigo is that he would walk the whole length of the sideline during a game and talk to everyone he could, he was a people person at heart,” Matt said.
“He was always up for the tournaments the senior men played in Taupo, and going down on the team bus put a huge smile on his face.”
Current president Mike Lewis also spoke about Craig’s dedication to the club.
“He was always the guy at the committee meeting who would put his hand up at general business time when everyone was ready to go home and put a couple of ideas forward,” Mike joked.
“We found a special role for him as club ambassador, which he took up with great pride. He used to give his own ambassador’s trophy out at junior prize giving. He was often getting the medals tangled and shaking the wrong hand, but he always enjoyed it.”
The club appreciated all of Craig’s efforts to help, particularly with the health challenges he faced with heart problems and diabetes.
Craig was set to receive the President’s Award from the club two weeks after he died.
Mike placed it with his casket, which was draped with a Manchester United flag.
As a child, Craig had to undergo numerous heart operations while attending Matakana School.
His brother, Bryce Julyan, described him as a complex and challenging character whom it was pointless to argue with.
He has memories of Craig’s passion for trucks and buses and remembers how he would jump aboard vehicles just for the ride.
Craig went to Mahurangi College and later moved to Auckland, where he worked at a Catholic School and afterwards as a packer at a supermarket.
“I think he knew about every bus route and driver in Auckland at one stage,” Bryce said.
His sister, Tania Sinclair, spoke about his enthusiasm to be part of everything and what made him different.
“I think one word that sums Craig up is unique,” Tania said.
“He could speak Samoan, impersonate a range of accents and recite poems by heart.”
He also collected money for the St John annual fundraiser and was a regular Catholic church attendee.
In addition to his brother and sister, Craig is survived by his father, Tom, and mother, Connie.
