Craig Tifford
Craig’s passionate and energetic drumming was the backbone of the Suburban Chaos sound. He and rhythm guitar player Ken Kencel came together in 2012 and are the two founding members of the band. Craig had a deep pocket and provided the group with a steady platform on which his bandmates could musically stand. His attention to detail was evident in every song; Craig was an adherent subscriber to the age-old adage that “less is more.” His influences included drumming greats such as Jeff Porcaro, Stewart Copeland, Bernard Purdie, and Neil Peart as well as his long-time drum teacher Tony Cruz. Craig grew up playing classical piano from a young age and also played baritone horn and valve trombone. He played in several bands since the age of 16 and will be kept in all our hearts at Suburban Chaos
Craig D. Tifford MD, a prominent orthopedic surgeon of Stamford, CT, passed away on December 19th, 2021 at 9:07 pm after a brave battle with esophageal cancer.
Craig was a beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend to many who will miss him dearly. Craig lived passionately. He loved music, travel, entertaining friends, cooking, cars, woodworking, sports, puzzles, a good tequila, and more than anything in the world, his beloved wife of 24 years, Gail and their amazing children Jason, who will graduate from American University in Spring 2022, and Kate, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin.
Craig and Gail had a love for the ages. They met through a mutual friend in New York City while Craig was in medical school and Gail was in law school. Early in their marriage, and just after Kate was born, Craig fought a serious bout with testicular cancer, something that only strengthened their family bond and gave them both an appreciation and joy for the life and family they built together.
Craig, a keyboardist in childhood, discovered the drums later in life. His love for music rivaled his passion for medicine and his band Suburban Chaos played gigs all around the tri-state area with Craig on drums. Craig would watch videos endlessly learning new songs while managing his day job as an extraordinary surgeon. He recently bought a set of acrylic drums and always insisted on joyfully packing up his own equipment. He loved going to live concerts and while his favorite drummer was Neil Peart from Rush, that didn’t stop him from studying the moves of Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd, Chester Thompson and Ginger Baker on YouTube. Craig loved music so much that he played a two-hour gig as recently as this past October 2, spreading happiness to his friends and everyone in the audience.
Craig was fortunate to have accumulated a vast network of childhood, academic, and work friends. He was known to be incredibly detail-oriented and intelligent while possessing the uncanny ability to recount a story and make people laugh. His childhood friends, who remained his close friends, remember him as supremely witty. Craig patiently “examined” his friends and their children’s various ailments yet provided many comedic episodes throughout his life. A night spent with Craig would include uncontrollable bouts of laughing, sharing stories, talking music, and always, always centered on his family.
Craig was born March 12, 1968 in Queens, NY the son of Lois Turner and Alan Tifford. He spent his childhood in Dix Hills, New York before attending Emory University and graduating in 1990 with a BS in Biology. He went on to attend Albert Einstein College of Medicine before completing an Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Montefiore Hospital and a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Long Beach Memorial in California. Craig committed his professional life to healing others. He was Associate Professor, Clinical Orthopedic Surgery and Yale University School of Medicine Program Director; Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship; Regional Medical Director Yale Medicine, Fairfield County; as well as Medical Director, Yale Medicine Long Ridge Medical Center
In addition to his beautiful wife and children, Craig leaves behind his mother Lois Turner and stepfather Norman Turner as well as his sister Jen Schaevitz, her husband Barry and their daughters Samantha and Sydney. He also leaves behind his loving in-laws, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who all deeply mourn his loss.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Dr. Craig D. Tifford’s memory to support Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Geri and Me Fund for Nursing Research and Education. The nursing care that Craig received during his treatment was truly so special and Craig and Gail want to honor the love and care they both received from these nurses by supporting this fund, Gifts can be made via Dr. Tifford’s memorial page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/drcraigtifford
A man of music, medicine, but most of all a family man, Craig Tifford left an indelible mark on everyone he met. He will be deeply missed and joyfully remembered.
Published by Stamford Advocate on Dec. 21, 2021.