August 20, 1934 – September 25, 2019
It is with much sadness that the family of Bob Cruickshanks announces his passing, Wednesday October 25, 2019. Bob died peacefully after a very short illness. He and Kathleen (Johnstone) were married for almost 63 years. Together they enjoyed a busy life with family and friends travelling to parts near and far until his memories and abilities were sadly and slowly taken away by vascular dementia.
Family was everything to Bob. He will be sorely missed by his brother Paul (Rosemary) and was predeceased by his sister Claudene Stafford (Richard). He was the loving father of Sandra (Tom McCauley), Donald (Sharon), Steven (Kathryn Smithyman), Craig (Marianne) and Timothy (Heather). His grandchildren always enjoyed adventures with him: Iain (Krista Schneider) and Lauren McCauley, Jay (Shawna) Irvine, Tracy (John) McKinnon, Kevin (Sarah) Cruickshanks, Erinn (Mark) Honeycutt, David (Allie) Kanters, Devan and Brody Cruickshanks. Loved grandson Joel Cruickshanks predeceased his grandfather. He was Great Grandpa to Ethan DiSciullo, Alec McKinnon, Emma Honeycutt, Eli Honeycutt, Quinn Cruickshanks and Rose McCauley Schneider.
He started his working life at the Federal Income Tax Department and then to sales with Westinghouse Canada. He was called to teaching where his contributions were honoured throughout the years. During his 32-year career he positively affected the lives of thousands of Hamilton public school students – in the classroom, as a Phys Ed teacher and, finally, as a Guidance Counsellor. He was also a teacher and Co-ordinator of the Hamilton Summer Skills program.
Bob was the life of any party, the spark in so many events, the person who took every opportunity to bring people together. He regularly took the whole family for overnights at hotels for swimming, eating, games and birthday cake. He and Kathleen packed up their three parents (Claude and Verna Cruickshanks and Kathleen Johnstone) to Barbados and driving trips to both Canadian coasts. He oversaw the Cruickshanks Family Reunions for years. He played basketball and volleyball until his knees finally said “stop”.
He was born into the Binkley United Church family, was a loyal member of the Landmark/Doric Lodge for more than 50 years, a 10-year volunteer with Ronald McDonald House, and a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Alumni Association due to his career with the Brantford Tigers B football team. A McMaster graduate, he was an active member of the McMaster Alumni Gallery Committee. He volunteered with the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Archives and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Archives. He supported local events by volunteering at track and swim meets as well as the Ford World Curling Championships and the Grey Cup both of which took place in 1996.
The family is grateful for the care he received from the staff of Valley Trail at St. Joseph’s Villa since early 2015. They are also thankful to those who supported Bob and Kathleen as his health declined.
Friends and family are invited to Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St, Dundas, on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 from 2-4p.m. & 7-9p.m.. A funeral service will be held at Binkley United Church, 1570 Main St. W., Hamilton, on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at 11:00a.m.
In honour of Bob’s life, you are welcome to consider a donation to the Cruickshanks and Johnstone Family Social Sciences Award at McMaster University, the Michael Johnstone Collection at the Hamilton Public Library or the charity of your choice.
Tim Heather and all the Cruickshank family our deepest sympathy to all Love Tom Lois Smith
Dear Kathleen,
Thinking of you and your family at this sad time.
Kay Lumsden
I do not have to point out to Bob’s family just how wonderful a person he was. I have so many fond memories of working with him during my own teaching career, both with students and colleagues. I always admired Bob and aspired to be more like him, but honestly,I couldn’t come close.
Tim, Heather, Devan & Brody
It is with heavy hearts that we are so very sorry to hear of Tim’s father’s passing and that you had to lose someone so special and important in your life. From what we heard from Brody talking about his grandfather, it sounds like he was a great man and both Tim’s parents did an excellent job of raising all of their children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren. Just remember that time helps but even though it never heals you have all those great memories of the great years you spent with both your parents and family.
Love Patti & Bill Bojeski
Thinking of you Kathleen and all your family at this time. You, Bob and all of your kids are a great childhood memory for me from Holmes Avenue babysitting the kids, taking them to Prince Phillip park so you could sleep because you were a nurse and did shifts. Remember your Mom and all your siblings from Holmes Avenue too. You are all in my thoughts. Luv Cathi Sturgess nee McGarr.
Sincere sympathy Kathleen. I share your pain
Peter has always spoken so very highly of his friend and teaching buddy. He also said that this fine gentleman spoke with sincerity and acted with kindness.
Today, I speak for Peter and myself in expressing our sadness but at the same time our privilege of having known such a gentle soul.
Thinking of you Tim and Heather, Devan and Brody and all your family. I remember Bob fondly. He was a mentor for me when I taught Phys. Ed. in Hamilton. Deepest sympathy to Kathleen. My Mom, Muriel Smith, nursed with Kathleen. I’m not able to be at the visitation, but I’m thinking of you all.
It has been many years since I last saw Bob and Kathleen at a Ronald McDonald House volunteer event. What a gentle and kind man he always was. My husband Lane Hazlewood and I were members of Binkley United Church, Lane was a teacher so shared many things in common with Bob, and I got to know Bob and the Cruickshank family at the many social events hosted at the church. Lane has since passed on, but I know he would have wanted me to remember Bob on behalf of all the Hazlewood’s. Bob has left you all with warm and joyful memories that will be a great comfort as you cope with his loss.
My sincerest sympathy.
Our sincere sympathy to Kathleen and the Cruickshanks family. We have many fond memories of Bob growing up in West Hamilton.
To the Cruickshank family:I will start by saying Bob was my teacher MANY years ago, it was at the old, ‘oldest’ Queen Victoria School. He was such a wonderful, kind teacher – and my favourite! When I got into teaching and got my first pink slip telling me I may not be teaching that year, he came over to see me at AMC school to tell me he was proud of me and not to worry about the lay off notice, I had nothing to worry about. Shortly after he was the PE teacher for my two daughters – they loved him as much as I did! I am so sorry for your loss, but I’m sure you have wonderful memories to remind you how lucky you were to have him in your life. My thoughts and prayers are with you! Sharron Sinfield – Ciannavei
Deepest Condolences to The Cruickshanks Family. My siblings and I were lucky enough to have attended Stinson Street School when he was the amazing Phys-Ed Teacher there. He taught us to strive to achieve many feats and pushed us to be great sportsmen as well as competitive. It was an honour to learn from such a gentle giant. Please know that he was a tremendous influence on our education and lives. It was a pleasure to have know such a talented educator and true gentleman. God Bless his Soul and may his Memory be Eternal. Mariam Hanhan & The Hanhan Family- Hamilton, Ontario.
To the Cruickshanks family: I was a student of Bob’s 54 years ago at Memorial School. I was a grade 7 student back in 1965 who just loved phys ed and Bob was the perfect teacher. He resonated with all of his students and I have often thought about him over the years as he left such a positive impression. There are those few teachers throughout our lives who have that special quality that leave an imprint on us for life and Bob was one of those special people. It appears that he had a wonderful and fulfilling life with his family, and for that I am truly happy.
To Kathleen and family. My sincere condolences on the passing of Bob. I, a fellow teacher, was aware of Bob, but our paths never really crossed when we worked for the Hamilton Board of Education. My association with Bob was at the Archives. He was there all day Tuesday in room 9 and I volunteered on Tuesday afternoons. He was such a kind person and a real gentleman. The photo in his obituary really captured his spirit. I am sorry I was unable to visit with you at the funeral home. Please accept my best wishes as you try to adjust to not having Bob in your lives. There must be a huge hole in your hearts. May you find comfort and peace in knowing that he touched the lives for good of so many during his teaching career and through all his other activities. Ken Shoesmith
My deepest condolences to the Cruikshank family on the passing of your dad. So many fond memories. I’ll never forget you guys.