G. Craig Ramsay, MD
Dr. George Craig Ramsay, retired physician who called Margaretville home for nearly 30 years, passed away peacefully at Margaretville Hospital March 26, 2026. He was 96 years old.
Dr. Ramsay (simply “Craig” to his friends) was known for his dry wit, keen memory and avid interest in goings on about town. He was warm hearted, welcoming newcomers to the neighborhood since he himself arrived on Church Street in 1997. He was honest and plain spoken, and took an active role in the community. He served on the village planning board, and was treasurer of the Presbyterian Church where he sang tenor in the choir.
Born in Grand Rapids, MI January 16, 1930, he was a son of Clarence F. and Katheryn Baert Ramsay. A brother, Baert Alden, died in 1934 at the age of seven. Dr. Ramsay earned undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Michigan (1955).
He served in the US Navy Medical Corps from 1956 to 1958, securing the rank of Lieutenant.
He practiced at Montefiore, Presbyterian and Memorial Hospitals in New York City; and at St. Francis Hospital in Trenton, N. J. Board Certified in Radiology in 1962, he taught radiology at Columbia College, Cornell University and Downstate Medical Center, then served as chief radiologist at Brooklyn-Cumberland Medical Center and several hospitals in Alabama and Tennessee before his retirement in 1986.
Dr. Ramsay found pleasure in skiing, ice skating, and dancing, and enjoyed going to the theater and to art exhibitions. He spent many happy hours tending to his yard and garden, his tall gangly frame topped by a wide straw hat. If he wasn’t the official mayor of Church Street, he nevertheless always sat at the head of table at regular neighborhood dinner parties.
Proud of his Scottish, Irish and Dutch ancestries, Dr. Ramsay loved learning about the old country. He and his dear friend and neighbor Sonja Martin traveled frequently, visiting France, the Netherlands, Egypt, Tunisia, Israel and Jordan as well as locales in the US. He maintained a curiosity about world affairs until the end of his life.
He was generous to causes he believed in, and a trust has been established to continue his charitable giving.
Dr. Ramsay leaves cousins Barb Crazier, and Stephan, James and Julie Ramsay; trusted friend and caregiver Alvin Mangrem, loving neighbors Adriana Martin and Steven Wat, an old and dear friend Jack Degnan, and a host of others who are glad to have known him.
A celebration of life will be held this summer. Craig’s cremains will be interred with his family at Graceland Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Grand Rapids.