Craig Smith passed away quietly Thursday May 27, 2010, surrounded by loved ones, at the Dana Farber Brigham and Women's Cancer Center in Boston, after a long struggle with cancer.

Craig was a tireless advocate and support for people with intellectual disabilities. He was co-founder, as well as first and current Chairperson of Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong (MASS). He was a trainer in self advocacy, leadership and the Awareness and Action Project: Educating Persons with disabilities to Recognize Report and Respond to Abuse. He was also an advisor to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) on Self-Determination.  Craig received numerous awards and recognitions including the Gunnar Dybwad Leadership award from the Commonwealth’s Department of Developmental Services, and the Nancy Maynard Leadership award from MASS.  In 2008, he was appointed to the Governor's Commission on Intellectual Disabilities and has been on many committees and Boards. He traveled throughout the state and the country, and presented at many conferences, teaching and guiding thousands of people in being a strong self advocate and fighting for our rights and legislative issues.