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Show Page A4 Thursday, December 7, 1939 Park Record Many speak at memorial aaanrti remerooereo ... Craig B ii Expressions of love and affection To our friends in Park City, During this time of great sorrow we have received comfort from the overwhelming outpouring out-pouring of love and sympathy from our son Craig's many friends here in town. We appreciate ap-preciate all the expressions of love and affection shown for Craig's memory and for the many things he did for Park City and the state of Utah along with the ski industry. During this difficult time it has been a source of strength for us to hear how Craig's accomplishments ac-complishments were recognized and became a reflection of his caring and concern for the Park City community. We have always known Craig had many friends from many walks of life, and this week we have heard so many stories about his character that remind us, he was, himself, quite a character. We are consoled by the fact Craig was as happy hap-py as we had ever seen him last weekend. The success of the World Cup events had made him proud and we were so very proud of him. We understand Craig's end came swiftly and are grateful to all the people who worked at the scene of the accident helping all the victims. We pray for their complete and speedy recovery. Craig had so many friends in Park City, we know this from the hundreds of cards and letters and displays of love shown to us this week. To each and every one of you we want to express the value of your words and deeds are beyond measure. Nicholas can be proud his daddy is remembered so fondly. With love, Nick and Avis Badami i v- V: ? X 1 3f x r ;! ... ;r.-' ('' V :j f - v Craig Badami let me be on his team Craig Badami's great works are partly a result of incredible ambition, creativity, creativi-ty, and spirit. He had the material resources to parlay his passion into results. But all our hometown predjudice aside, these accomplishments ac-complishments alone make Craig one member on a long list of achievers. He had unique traits in the way he worked with people that made him different and special. Most important was the great joy that Craig would take in someone else's success. suc-cess. He truly loved to see a friend or associate do well. There is no doubt that Craig l&ved the limelight. In fact, he sought it out. But when a friend, or worker, or anyone else had a light shone on them, Craig's chest would heave with the same pride as when that light was on him. He was even prouder if he had a hand in making someone else a success. He used people in a good way. When other resorts or projects would recruit team members away from Park City Ci-ty (raiding the talent pool), Craig was happy for their As I 3 flit step up and new success. He was proud that his team was raided. And when it was time to leave, Craig would take the person aside and share more advice to help that person be an even better success in their new job. Craig Badami was so loyal. Any man can be a partner in good times, but Craig was a man whos word and spirit could be counted on always. I remember times when we made a mistake or something didn't go according to plan, but he never dumped on a team member. As a matter of fact, he took pride in saying, "That didn't work out, let's see what we can do to make things right." And if anyone ever took shots at his friends or team members, Craig Badami was never afraid to stand out front and give protection. He never backed off of treating people right. The thought of protecting protec-ting his own standing or reputation or relationships never stood in the way of . 4 i ' ' ; -,? ;! - 1,11 m- , ' , ii.n 4 I , I ' l L-"' .i. im .-j i . , j . , CRAIG BADAMI " ' ?vCHt'l f,i1 lit lnllOll 41 ,-'; 1 1 ,. L- ' , a r, I 1952-1989 loyalty to those who were loyal to him, those who did what, he asked. Craig never used people as cannon fodder, never as a door mat. Craig never asked people to do things that were wrong. On the long list of achievers are some men who are jealous, cruel, and self-centered. self-centered. Others on that list have a heart and soul. Craig Badami stands out as one who used people, loved them, and showed his gratitude. He doesn't have debts outstanding. outstan-ding. It was a cold, clear and snowless night when I learned that Craig Badami died. I remember walking outside and looking up at all the stars. The heavens seemed so big and so far away. It was so quiet. ;- K I spoke in & voice that was choked by an ache in the top of my chest. I'm not even sure if it would have been audible. Bat all I could think to say was, "Craig, I hope you have finally found the happiness you have always sought." For all the fine qualities and great memories of Craig Badami, I still have to be at least a little sad. I never personally per-sonally saw him relax and take satisfaction in just being himself, a decent and worthwhile wor-thwhile member of the human race. You see, part of Craig's notariety is also the fact that he was driven. He always thought that he had something to prove. He tried a thousand ways to demonstrate that he was a worthy person, someone special. "Craig, if you can hear me, I never really cared about who you knew or what you did. There isn't one picture or article or award that can represent what is truly important im-portant and special about you. You are OK as just plain old Craig, the other stuff matters little. You did prove yourself. I thought you might like to know." . Craig Badami was a friend of mine. He let me be on his team. Jack Turner ' Nl 7 '"V Hi i 11 Hundreds of friends and relatives came to pay their final respects to ( Craig Badami under a bluebird sky at an outdoor memorial service held ; in the plaza of the Park' City Ski Area. More than a dozen friends ; spoke tributes to Badami, who was . killed in a tragic helicopter accident ' at the resort last Tuesday afternoon. Craig Badami was 37 and the vice president of the Park City Ski Area at the time of his death. Lutheran pastor Jonathan Nelson opened the service by describing Badami as "a great friend, a loving father, a loving son, a loving ; nephew, an outstanding promoter and a visionary marketeer." Communications director for the ( Park City Ski Area, Mark Menlove shared a portion of the hundreds of cards and telegrams received by the family from ski federations the world over, senators, governors, vice presidents and former presidents and heads of major cor- porations. Menlove said on Saturday the top women of the United States Ski team would be racing in Vail, Colo, wearing not the traditional "Park City" on their headbands but "Badami" instead. Menlove said one of Badami's many talents was to touch profoundly profound-ly the lives of people he came in contact con-tact with. "The wonderful thing about Craig ; was it didn't matter who you were or what you were or where you came : from... he had the ability to look into your heart and know if you were worthy of his friendship... he once told me his entire philosophy of life was summed up in the words of a Grateful Dead song 'what I want to know is are you kind?'" Menlove continued. "Craig was kind. He was generous and loyal to a fault and he had a zest for life like no one I have ever known." Other speakers of the day echoed Menlove's sentiments and those gathered heard tales of Badami's love for skiing, love for the harmonica har-monica and love of his family. Friend Vince Donile literally displayed the many hats Badami wore, from the Park City Ski Team : to the 49ers and he said, "where Craig is now he may not be in a class ' by himself anymore, but you can be sure whatever class that is it won't take long to take roll." Former NFL Super Bowl star Marv Flemming told the crowd that Badami was a quarterback and "I would play on his team anytime." Marketing director Robbie Beck . McHugh wrote a poem in Badami's ' honor and said "Craig you are my mentor, sometimes my tormentor... You didn't have to be careful with Craig you had to be true... you are the wind beneath my wings." Three musical numbers were performed per-formed by the band Badami had just recently put together, Johnny and the Park City Rockers who had played during the World Cup ac- ' tivities last weekend. The band presented Badami's harmonicas to his three year old son, Nicholas. The final speaker was PCSA president presi-dent Phil Jones, who commented on Badami's remarkable ability to bond to people. Then, in silence there was a 21-dynamite-blast salute to Badami followed by the release of hundreds of helium balloons and a single display of white fireworks ; against the blue sky. The family has asked in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to Craig's memory at the United States Ski Team Educational Foundation, Foun-dation, Box 100, Park City, Utah. i - lf f tf 111 iUt |
