FRIENDSHIP — Craig W. Wotton died at home surrounded by family on May 27, 2026. Born on January 14, 1945, to Beatrice (Delano) and Myron Wotton, Craig lived his entire life in Friendship, Maine, and spent his summers on Friendship Cranberry Island. His deep roots in the community and on the water shaped the life he loved and the life he built. 

Craig attended Waldoboro High School where he began dating the love of his life, Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Giusani. He graduated in 1963 and was drafted into the US Army in 1965. Stationed in Germany for two years, he and Betty visited many European countries creating their love for traveling together. Upon his discharge, Craig and Betty married in the summer of 1968 and shared more than 57 years.

Together, Craig and Betty raised two daughters and built a family that became the center of his life. He enjoyed time with family and friends and was a steady presence at the activities and milestones of his children and grandchildren. He was especially proud of his five grandchildren.

Craig spent much of his life on the ocean, beginning when he was young. He started out lobstering and later had the fishing vessel I.O. built for seining and dragging in the 1970s. For 20 years, he delivered pogies for bait along the midcoast. During that time, he earned his pilot’s license and flew a Super Cub to spot fish. Over the years, he took part in many types of fishing, including stop seining, purse seining, and dragging, before returning to lobstering, which he continued through age 80 aboard his lobster boat, Teacher’s Pet. His family often worked alongside him during fishing. In addition to his fishing experiences, Craig became a scuba diver and later a scuba diving instructor. He used these skills to maintain his gear. Many winters, he also worked as a woodsman cutting logs and pulp wood.

A generous and hardworking man, Craig gave back to his community in many ways. He first joined Boy Scout Troop 98 in the mid-1950’s, beginning as a scout and later serving as Patrol Leader and Scout Master. He volunteered with the Friendship Ambulance Service for 11 years as an EMT and helped train new EMTs at the state level. He was also a founding director of the Friendship Lobster Co-op, the first co-op in Friendship. In 1999, Craig and Betty purchased their first motor home, and over many winters they made multiple trips across the country while also enjoying local summer weekend travels with friends, family, and the Capitol Area Wheels camping club. His last few winters were spent in Plant City, Florida.

Craig was predeceased by his parents and by his brother-in-law Roger Brazier.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty; his daughters and sons-in-law, Alelia Hilt-Lash and Aaron Lash, and Jennifer and Corey Novicka; and his five grandchildren, Alexia Hilt, Shelby Lash, Cassidy Novicka, Reese Novicka, and Lucas Novicka. He is also survived by brothers and sister, and their spouses: Lance and Kathy Wotton, Sharon Brazier, Blake and Irma Wotton, and sister-in-law and spouse Sandi and Art Ballad. He often said he was blessed with a wonderful family and many good friends.

The family invites you for a time of visitation at Hall’s Funeral Home in Waldoboro on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m.

 A celebration of life will be held at Hall’s on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 1 p.m., followed by a reception at the United Methodist Church in Friendship.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Craig’s memory may be made to the Friendship Public Library, P.O. Box 39, Friendship, Maine 04547.

Arrangements are under the care of Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To share a memory or condolence with the Wotton family, visit www.hallfuneralhomes.com.