Craig W. Bulkley, Colonel, U.S. Army, Ret., of Auburn, NH, passed away at the age of 76 on Friday, January 30, 2026, in Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH. He was born on November 11, 1949, in Lebanon, PA, a son of the late Frederick and Dorothy (Wohlsen) Bulkley.
After graduating from Gettysburg College in 1971, Col. Bulkley began a distinguished 30-year career as a Military Intelligence officer in the United States Army – serving six years on active duty and 24 years in the U.S. Army Reserve. His first active-duty assignment took him overseas to Okinawa, Japan with the Army Security Agency – an experience that sparked a lifelong love of travel and broadened his appreciation for people and cultures around the world. Over the course of his military career, he commanded five units, served in numerous leadership and staff roles, and concluded his service as the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for the state of New Hampshire. He was deeply proud of his military service and of the people he served alongside.
In his civilian life, Craig continued to lead with integrity, steady judgement, and an unwavering sense of responsibility. He held several senior administrative management positions, including more than 26 years with the NH Liquor Commission where he served as chief operating officer. His commitment to public service extended deeply into the Derry community. He was the first town administrator under Derry’s new charter government, spent 15 years as a Derry town councilor, and generously gave his time and leadership to numerous organizations including board president and member of the Nutfield United Way, a member of the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Derry, Board Member, Trustee and Treasurer of the Alexander-Eastman Foundation, Member of the Board of Directors of the NH Veteran’s Cemetery Association, member and past president of the Derry Village Rotary, and a member of the Derry Veteran’s Assistance Fund. He believed strongly in giving back and worked quietly but tirelessly to strengthen the community he loved.
While his professional and civic accomplishments were many, those who knew him best will remember him for his warmth, his curiosity about the world, and his dry wit. He loved to travel, share stories from the road, and was always ready with a good joke – often perfectly timed and sometimes delightfully corny. Above all else, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah (Brown) Bulkley of 53 years; son, Christopher Bulkley and his wife Karen, and two grandchildren, Ryan and Kayla, of Windham, NH; two daughters, Meredith Lewis and husband Michael, and two grandchildren, Brayden and Brooke, of Wading River, NY, and Lindsey Tuffner and her husband Mark, and two grandchildren, Charlotte and Nolan, of Fairfax, VA; sister, Anne Bried and her husband Robert of Austin, TX; as well as a niece and nephew and many extended family members. He was predeceased by his brother, Scott Bulkley.
Col. Bulkley leaves behind a legacy of service, leadership, generosity, and love – a life well lived, marked by commitment to country, community, and family.
Following cremation, calling hours will be announced in the spring. The graveside services with full military honors will be scheduled for the spring in the NH State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Derry.