In memory of our beloved, son, husband and father,
”
you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only
choice you have.
”
Craig Moreno passed away at 12:14 p.m. July 11 at Stanford
hospital while valiantly waiting for the miracle of a second heart
transplant. He was 39 years old.
Editor’s note: The text below was featured in “letters to the editor” in the July 19 issue of the Morgan Hill Times.
In memory of our beloved, son, husband and father, “you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”
Craig Moreno passed away at 12:14 p.m. July 11 at Stanford hospital while valiantly waiting for the miracle of a second heart transplant. He was 39 years old.
Born in Fresno, the only child of Jesse and Lois Moreno, Craig grew up in Morgan Hill. He attended Live Oak High School and played football for the Live Oak Acorns. He graduated in 1990 and went on to attend Monterey Peninsula College. In 1997, he graduated from San Jose City Cosmetology program. He was elected president of his class and received a first place award in student women’s hair-cutting.
In 2001, Craig contracted a virus which damaged his heart causing it to weaken and enlarge, a condition known as cardiomegaly. That same year he married the beautiful love of his life, Janine Fairhurst. In June 2003, their son Aiden was born, and Craig was placed on the transplant list. He received a new heart at Stanford University Medical Center on August, 17, 2003 when Aiden was 6 weeks old. He went on to lead a full, active life, humorously referring to himself as “The Tin Man” from the Wizard of Oz.
Craig worked as a stylist at Shear Color and Design in Morgan Hill for 13 years. He was involved in the community and his life was deeply rooted in Morgan Hill. Craig had many, many friends and every one of them could tell you that his most important job and the greatest pleasure of his life was being a daddy to Aiden.
Craig loved motorcycles and was a passionate sports enthusiast. He hiked, played football, tennis, snow and water skied. He enjoyed boxing and extreme sports like zip-lining. He was a gregarious and well loved coach in Morgan Hill. When younger he coached for the girl’s softball league. After Aiden was born, he coached his son in Orchard Valley Soccer, Morgan Hill Pony Baseball and the Raiders Pop Warner football league.
This spring Craig developed sudden symptoms of organ rejection. Doctors at Stanford began treatments desperately hoping to improve his condition. By June 14 he was hospitalized under 24-hour care in the CCU in need of a second heart transplant. In the final weeks of his life, the transplant team considered airlifting him to San Diego to bridge the wait for a new heart with an artificial heart implant, but his condition continued to deteriorate. Craig faced this battle to stay alive against overwhelming odds with a courage and determination that inspired all of those around him. He passed away in peace, with his wife, mother, and 8 year old son by his side. Craig believed in God and was ready to meet his maker. He wanted his friends and family to know that he never gave up the fight … only his body surrendered.
Craig is survived by his wife Janine, son Aiden and mother Lois Moreno. Uncles: Joe Martinez, Fred Martinez, Frank Martinez and Aunts: Marylou Martinez, Mary Martinez and Joy Thompson. He was preceded in death by his father Jesse Moreno.
The Moreno family would like to thank the Stanford Heart Transplant team and the many doctors and nurses who cared for Craig over the years at Stanford. We are overwhelmed and deeply grateful for the out pouring of support we have received from friends and loved ones, and the many wonderful efforts of the community at large to help our family. Thank you! As Craig would say: Be a donor and save a life; www.donatealifecalifornia.com.
Celebration of Life service to be held at the Morgan Hill Community Center, at 10 a.m. Friday. Funeral services are at Saint Catherine Church in Morgan Hill at 10 a.m. Monday.
Arrangements by Johnson Funeral Home. Donations can be made to a college fund for Aiden. Checks payable to Aiden Moreno and sent to: Bank of the West, c/o Eva Thompson, 206 Tennant Station, Morgan Hill, CA 95037-5485.
