Marist’s band director Mark Craddock passed away at age 64. Mr. Mark Craddock, the beloved band director at Marist School, passed away on June 1, 2023, following a brief illness. Marist School, Atlanta‘s official page announced Mark’s death on Friday, June 2, 2023.
Craddock joined Marist in August 1992, beginning an exceptional musical journey for countless kids and a lifetime of treasured memories for his colleagues. He was a renowned member of the Fine Arts Department at Marist for more than 30 years.
As he led the numerous bands he was in charge of, including the energetic Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble, Mr. Craddock’s generosity of time had no bounds. His attendance at sporting events ensured that Marist athletic teams would win with the Marist fight song blaring in their ears.
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He supported Marist theater, enhancing more than 100 enduring shows throughout the years with music. Numerous performances were motivated by his leadership and direction. Additionally, he volunteered for Marist’s advancement office, pushing colleagues to give to the annual fund in order to preserve the Marist mission, which he held in such high regard.
All those who had the opportunity of learning under him benefited from his steadfast dedication to greatness, which instilled discipline and a strong love of music in them. Mr. Craddock received the MacGinnitie Award for invention in 2008 for his outstanding contributions to Marist School, giving his coworkers the chance to publicly commend him for his initiative and invention that significantly advanced the school’s goal.
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Mark Craddock Bio
In 2018, Marist awarded him the Goizueta Chair of Excellence in recognition of his creative teaching methods, high standards of professional growth, efforts to foster intercultural awareness and a global perspective, and participation in student extracurricular activities.
Beyond the music classroom, Mr. Craddock played a key role in creating and overseeing Marist’s student exchange program. By utilizing the Society of Mary’s global network and giving students the chance to practice and have productive conversations with people from various backgrounds, he assisted the school in achieving its strategic priority of developing servant leaders who are ready for the global marketplace. His assistance helped students from other continents form ties. Both communities benefited from his involvement in the collaboration between Marist School and a Marist school in Passau-Fürstenzell, Germany.
In recent years, he devoted time to working with former school president Fr. John H. Harhager, S.M., current vicar general for the Society of Mary, and other Marist priests in the hope of developing a student conference across Marist schools worldwide. This project was indicative of Mr. Craddock’s efforts to help Marist students connect with other parts of the world to create new personal and professional relationships.
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The Marist School community received notes from near and far as soon as they learned of Mr. Craddock’s sickness. Mr. Craddock received approximately four hours’ worth of video tributes. The feelings expressed demonstrated his exceptional capacity to inspire self-assurance in others and to establish a sense of community for those who most needed it. For years to come, Mr. Craddock’s influence will be felt in these ways, and we are grateful that our school community has had this opportunity to thank him. He has come home to our Heavenly Father’s arms, which gives us some measure of consolation even though we are terribly sad.
Mr. Craddock bridged boundaries via exquisite music, steadfast assistance with the exchange program, and priceless connections. He helped kids from various origins feel more united by bridging the gap between various traditions. He will always be remembered as a dedicated mentor, an inspirational teacher, and a talented musician. His influence on countless lives as well as the music he created will endure. Let us continue his passion, commitment, and unshakable faith in the ability of music to uplift and connect us all as we pay tribute to his memory, as well as in the Marist purpose of educating students to lead compassionate lives of service.
The Funeral Mass will take place at the Cathedral of Christ the King on Friday, June 9 at 10 a.m. (2699 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305). A reception will follow in Kenny Hall. For those unable to attend the Funeral Mass in person, a livestream is available and will remain online for several weeks following the service. If students, faculty, or staff need support during this time of grieving, the Marist counselors and campus ministers are available. Marist alumni may reach out to Fr. Mark Kenney, S.M. for pastoral care.