TrekMovie has some sad news to report about two notable Star Trek fans. Over the weekend Daniel Craft, the fan who was recently granted a last wish to see Star Trek Into Darkness, passed away. In addition Alberto Lisiero, founder the the largest Italian fan club and translator for Star Trek films in Italy, also passed away this past week. TrekMovie has been in touch with both Daniel and Alberto’s wives. We have statements and photos from both below
Dan Craft passes only a week after Star Trek Into Darkness last wish fullfilled
Two weeks ago TrekMovie reported about Dan Craft, a 41-year-old New York Star Trek fan whose last wish to see an early cut of Star Trek Into Darkness was granted by JJ Abrams. Dan’s wife Paige Barr has informed TrekMovie that he passed away over the weekend. She also sent this photo of her and Dan watching the rough cut of Star Trek Into Darkness which was brought to their Manhattan apartment by one of the film’s producers.
Dan Craft with his wife Paige Barr – watching preview of "Star Trek Into Darkness"
Daniel is survived by his mother, brother & wife Paige Jennifer Barr who is an comedic actress and film maker in her own right. Paige says of Dan "I will miss so many things about Daniel, we had so many adventures together. He had so many opinions and suggestions about my silly short films that he was so supportive of; but most of all I will miss hearing him laugh, we laughed a lot."
Paige also sent over these photos of the pair of them at the Las Vegas Star Trek convention in 2011.
Dan Craft with his wife Paige Barr at 2011 Las Vegas Star Trek convention
Dan Craft with his wife Paige Barr and George Takei at 2011 Las Vegas Star Trek convention
A private service for Dan will be held later this month. Paige tells TrekMovie that Dan donated his body to science and the family are happy it was accepted and his wishes are being carried out.
Italian Star Trek Fan Club Founder Passes
And in other sad news Alberto Lisiero, founder of Star Trek Italian Club (Italy’s largest Star Trek fan club) passed away on New Year’s Day. According to Alberto’s wife it was an unexpected death and the family and Italian fans who knew Alberto are in shock.
Alberto was instrumental in fostering Star Trek fandom in Italy, including organizing the annual STICCON conventions, which brought in Star Trek celebrities. Last summer STICCON held its 26th annual convention and featured appearances with Gates McFadden, Garret Wang and other celebrities. Here is a video featuring Alberto from the con.
Gabriella describes Albert as "the founder of everything Star Trek is in Italy." In addition to running the club and acting as president of the annual conventions, Alberto also was editor in chief of the official Italian Star Trek Magazine Alberto has even helped out TrekMovie.com with covering events from Italy over the years. Alberto and his wife also has helped Paramount in Italy over the years in both promotion of Star Trek movies as well as providing translation work films, home video, books and comics. He was just starting to help out for the launch of Star Trek Into Darkness in Italy and his wife tells TrekMovie she will continue on with that "my deepest regret is that he won’t be able to see it. But of course the best way to honor him is to not let his Italian legacy to die, therefore we will continue his work."
Memorial page for Alberto Lisiero on STIC website
First?
Glad he could see it.
Sorry to hear about both losses. On the other hand, I’m glad Dan had his last wish granted. :)
Great gesture from the Abrams team
Glad JJ and team granted his wish
Rest in peace Dan
RIP
Kind nobility is the best of Trek
RIP to both :-( Great that Dan got his dying wish, but very sorry that Alberto did not get to see it… :-(
Second star to the right and straight on till morning.
Very sad news. Always terrible to see good people go through so much, but it is wonderful that he was given the chance to see the film and have some joy in his final days.
Warp speed to Genesis.
Also sad to see the news about Alberto Lisiero. :-(
Sending the warmest of wishes to the families of both people. So sorry to hear about their losses, but hopefully they know how much they and their loved ones were cared for, even by people that did not know them. That is the spirit of Star Trek and the fans who follow it.
Crap… i don’t know these people, never would have heard or cared if i wasn’t a trekkie. I am a trekkie though and the sadness i feel at their passing shocks me. I’m actually crying for them and feel so much sorrow for their loved ones. It’s nice that Dan got to see into the darkness before he died, and that both Dan and Alberto left their mark on trek in their own way.
But i still can’t figure out why i so shockingly sad about it…
life of a trekkie… an expanding universe of wonder.
Dan Craft will be remembered with Honor. Rest In Peace Sir.
Heartbreaking!!! RIP, Dan!!!
May God Bless you and your family, Paige, during this difficult time.
Anthony, thanks for taking the time to get the story right. Sad story. I thought JJ’s response in that Collider interview was classy.
My wishes and thoughts go out to you and your family as well, Gabriella!!!!!!
That is so great that he was able to see the film before his passing, and great that JJ did that for him….Rest in Peace….
prayers to the families of both individuals. …..”and straight on till morning”.
So sorry to learn of these passing. Rest in peace, Dan and Alberto.
Good the producers of ‘Into Darkness’ granted this last wish to Daniel Craft! It’s a touching and sad story!
Express my condolences to the families of Daniel and Alberto!
So sorry to hear of Daniel’s passing but happy his last days were with family and enjoying life. Prayers to the family.
Could JJ and Company get these guys names into the credits of the new movie? Something like “In memory of…” or similar? Prayers go out for both families.
Happy to see JJ do this. Gene R would be proud
Daniel and Alberto. May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the winds of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars.
Both RIP
23…thats a great idea…
I offer my deepest of condolences to all those affected. May happy memories be their legacy, and may their enjoyment of life be an inspiration to us all.
God speed and God bless their souls.
God bless Daniel and Alberto. And may God bless their families and comfort them in these difficult times. Again, thanks to J.J. Abrams, Bad Robot and Paramount for giving a dying Trek fan a view of the film. Star Trek makes a difference.
Boldly go…
And now they get to gush about things Star Trek with friends, once again, after experiancing a brief delay called ‘Living Existance’… *salute*
Damn…I was hoping Dan would still hang in there until May to see the final cut of the film. Sad news indeed…and so young !
It sounds like Dan and Paige made the most of the short time they had together.
So sad. On the other hand, I’m glad that Dan at least got to see an early version of the film. A classy move on the part of J.J Abrams and co.
As for Alberto, sounds like the guy really cared deeply about “Star Trek” and its fans. Clearly took a lot of time, energy and devotion to essentially build a Trek culture in a non-English speaking country. He’s got to be one of the greatest fans ever. I hope the next Creation convention does a tribute in his honor.
Once again, its a sad time. My condolences go out to the friends, families and colleagues of the two wonderful gentlemen who obviously made a profound impact in the lives they touched.
Even though Mrs. Craft wrote that the rough cut put a smile on her husband’s face, I was still really sad when hearing the bad news. And to Mr. Abrams and anyone else who made this possible: chapeau! You’re a real mensch.
We’re less than we were without these fine people. Best wishes to their families.
Warp Speed, friends
My condolences to the families and friends of Dan and Alberto. I noted that Zachary Quinto tweeted, “my heart is with the family of dan craft. “may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” “
So sorry to hear about the loss. May they rest in peace.
Godspeed Daniel Craft
Mr. Abrams:
I hope you get this. Way to go sir. That was a totally class move. You didn’t even publicize it to get headlines either.
I know of no other movie maker that would have done what you did for a real and true fan.
Our prayers go out to Dan’s family and friends. Warp Speed!
To Dan and Alberto’s families, please accept our sincerest sympathies and prayers. Both Dan and Alberto’s legacies in the fan community will endure.
John, Maria Jose, and Nicholas Jose Tenuto
Let us rest in the thought that David ventured to a far, far greater world.
Aye, Commodore Adams.
Godspeed Daniel Craft.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Craft. So sad and yet, I’m so happy he got to see a rough cut of the film before he passed.
Heartfelt sympathies to the Barr family.
Paige, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing such a hard time of your life with your extended family here.
Compassion, soul, selflessness, logic, risk, Trek
Both men are now embarking on adventures we can barely even imagine. May the love of friends and family forever light their way. Godspeed gentlemen.
There are really beautiful statements and elegant expressions here that say things much better than I can — so I’ll just add my honest and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones involved.
Rest in Peace, Dan.
Rest in Peace, Alberto.
These are the sad kinds of stories we never like to hear, but there is great optimism, hope, and love in them, as well. My condolences go out to the families.
I may not have met either of these good men personally, but I am so blessed that through Star Trek, I grew to know and care for them both. Trek at it’s best, for sure.