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Carol Vanasco Craft - Class of 1960

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 10/Sep/2025
71.223.142.20

   Carol L. Craft, 83, of Newport, RI, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025. Born in Newburgh, NY, to Terry J. and Lee (Angelone) Vanasco, Carol spent most of her life in the New York Hudson Valley, graduating from Newburgh Free Academy, where she met her future husband Wayne Craft. Together they raised four beautiful children. Carol was a dedicated and loving mom, having four children by the age of twenty four. Family was very important to her. She took great pride in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Carol had a cousin who dealt in antiques, sparking a life long interest in antiques collecting. When it came to antiques, Carol had a keen eye for quality and an ability to find great bargains while hunting for the next special piece. After success running several antique shops, Carol, together with her husband Wayne, went into business with their son Terry and his wife Sally, to open The Chocolate Goose Confectionary in New Windsor, NY. Carol had a knack for outfitting the store with fine gifts and antiques, and creating exquisite gift baskets. After making a permanent move to Newport, RI, Carol and Wayne opened a similar endeavor there; Newport Chocolates.

Carol was skilled in many areas. She was a master gardener, which was evident to all who visited her gardens at any one of the several homes she and Wayne restored together over the years. She was an amazing interior decorator. Each one of her homes looked like a page from a magazine. She loved photography and spent much of her spare time photographing beautiful scenic Newport. She was also an incredible cook and enjoyed hosting many family get-togethers, decorating the house and cooking delicious holiday meals. Her cakes and pies were a standout! For a change of pace, after her children were out of school, Carol worked as a dental assistant for several years during the eighties.

Carol made many friends over the years in New York and Rhode Island, crediting many of them for inspiring her in the creative activities she loved. But her best friend and love of her life was her husband Wayne, whom she was married to for sixty two years before his passing in 2021. They were an amazing team, enjoying the many projects they took on together, as well as the trips they took to Italy, Mexico, The DR and Paris. Carol's family would like to thank Carol and Wayne's best friend, Harry, for the unwavering love and support he has shown the entire family over the past several years. We love you Harry!

Carol is survived by her sister Arlene and husband Clyde Ruggieri of Valley Stream, NY, her sister Debbie and husband Brad Jamieson of Walden, NY, her son Terry and daughter-in-law Sally Craft of Walden, NY, her daughter Lori Samuelsen of East Moriches, NY, and partner Michael Woodley, her son Scott Craft and daughter-in-law Annie Adams of Stuart, FL, her daughter Kelly Coen of Montgomery, NY, her six grandchildren, Paul, Elizabeth, Lauren, Kristen, Warren and Jac, her two great grandchildren, Julia and Scotty, and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Wayne, her parents, her sister Jeannie, and her son-in-law John Coen.

Services will be private, in accordance with Carol's wishes.