Craig D. Leighton Obituary (1976 - 2022)

Craig D. Leighton, age 46, of Clinton, Maine, passed away into the arms of the Lord on November 23. 2022, at GrayBirch Long Term Care facility in Augusta, Maine after a long and hard-fought battle with Huntington's Disease.Craig was born in May of 1976 in Augusta, Maine. He attended Hall-Dale High School, graduating in 1995 and then completed three years of college at Zion Bible Institute in Barrington, Rhode Island, where he was studying to be a Youth Pastor.He married his wife, Christine (Darling) Leighton in June of 1997 and just celebrated their 25th anniversary this past June. Craig's faith was extremely important to him, and he was actively involved in the church he grew up in, Mountaintop Christian Fellowship in Oakland, Maine, where he worked as a youth pastor for several years. Craig also worked as a supervisor at Good-Will Hinckley in Hinckley, Maine for over a decade. Craig's love for working with teens, especially those who were struggling, was known by all who knew him well. One of Craig's fondest memories was taking a mission trip to Turkey and Bulgaria. He loved the people he met there and hoped to one day go back.Craig is survived by his wife, Christine (Darling) Leighton of Clinton, Maine, and their two children, Ashley Nichole Leighton also of Clinton and Austin Craig Leighton who is currently stationed in Arizona with the US Army. Craig is also survived by his parents, Paul and Sandra (Gibbons) Leighton of Oakland, Maine, and his brother Derek Nickerson, his wife Michaela (Foster) Nickerson and their two children, Macy and Timmy Nickerson all of Oakland, Maine. He was preceded in death by his beloved brothers Michael and Troy Leighton.A Celebration of Life service will be held at Centerpoint Community Church located at 155 West River Road in Waterville, Maine on December 23rd at 11 am. Following the service, food and beverages will be provided. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine 04901. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at www.gallantfh.com.In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Huntington's Disease Society of America for continued research to find a cure. Huntington's Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902 New York, NY 10018.