Raymond Cruickshank
Died: December 7, 2008 | Place: London Health Sciences Centre - Victoria Hospital
Obituary
CRUICKSHANK…..
Peacefully surrounded by his family at Victoria Hospital, on Sunday, December 7, 2008, Raymond Cruickshank Sr. of London in his 79th year. Beloved husband of Janet (Aitken) Cruickshank of 55 years. Proud father of Jane Kerr and her husband Andy, George Cruickshank and his wife Agnes, William Cruickshank and his wife Susan and Raymond Cruickshank Jr. and his wife Debbie all of London. Cherished grandfather of Bailey, Madison, Tine, Cathy, Jennie, Craig, Christopher, Tabatha, Raymond, Colton, Nathan, Taunua and great-grandfather of Amanda. Also loved by Jeannette, Katie and Rena, nephews, nieces and cousins. Predeceased by his sister Georgie and Cathy. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 3:00 pm, at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 442 Adelaide Street, North, London ON N6B 3H8. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com
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Daddy, I love you so much.You were so brave. Everything I am I owe to you. YOU were a loving ,kind, sweet man. I really have no idea what my life will be like without you.I will pray for you and always keep you in my heart.I have no other words to describe my sorrow. I will miss you every single day of my life and pray that we will see each other again. love Teenie .and as you always said” Love you back”
To Raymond’s family and all who loved him, he was a dear man and and will be greatly missed.
Cathy Riedl
Jane: I’m so relieved that this part of your journey is over; I know how difficult it has been for you. Your love and devotion to your Dad was always – and WILL ALWAYS reflect in how others know YOU as a person. I’m certain that who you are was indeed a direct result of the close and loving relationship you had (and will ALWAYS have)with your Dad. My thoughts are with you and your family, and remember: there was a reason why your Dad was your “rock”…he passed this gift to you…because he knew you were worthy. Your sweet memories will carry you through your loss, and in time fill your heart with gladness, hope, and strength. Take care, and God Bless.
Sincerely,
Ker.
Jane,
My condolences to you and your family during this sad time. Your dad is in a better place now, and you will be with him again someday. Take strength in knowing that you have the love and support from all your friends. I only met your dad once, but he was a very sweet man, and knowing the kind of person you are, just goes to show how wonderful he truly was.
Take care Jane, Love you always Jenn
Jane,
My sincere condolences to you and your family at this time of sorrow. I will always remember your Dad as having a “somewhat ” offbeat sense of humour. I could never quite understand his affection for “that” dog, Spot but, that was your Dad. He always made me feel welcome in his home, even when, I’m sure, I was a pain in the butt. Although times are dark now, it will get better in time. I’ve been there. You know where I am if you need me.
Love,
Ellen
Dear Raymond saying goodbye to someone is always difficult and even more so when you have been seperated for so many years by time and distance. I will always remember you as my favourite uncle. From the times as children when mum and dad would bring us over to visit aunty Janet and uncle Raymond at home in Scotland, to my (too few) visits to Canada and your visits to us in Portsmouth. I will always remember you as a kind and gentle man in whose company I could feel at ease and whom as I got older I enjoyed talking to very much. I was always made to feel welcome when I visited you and Janet both as a child and later as an adult. Although I have not seen either of you for many years, both of you have always remained in my thoughts. I know from the occasional letters and emails that we did exchange that you loved your family so very much and that you were very proud of all of them. I have no doubt that the world will be a lesser place without you in it but I hope that you are at peace now. God bless, your nephew Philip.
Papa you were a great man and an even greater grandfather, I’m so proud to be your grandaughter i’ll always treasure the memories i had with you, because you were such a great role model in my life and there won’t be a day where i won’t think of you i love you very dearly and i’ll always miss you, there won’t be a day where i won’t think of you xoxox
Dear Family,
Papa was a wonderful man for all to be proud of. He loved all of us unconditionally with such a strong pride. He did not care who you were or or how long its been, he just loved you right then and there. Some say Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. He took ours away.There is no greater accomplishment on this earth thenlove, and to be loved. God bless to my wonderful family in this time of grief.Remember that everytime you hold each other, love and think of one another he will be there and live on.
Love,
Jennie Paisley
Papa was a wonderful man. When I think of him, I think of how proud he was of his heritage, his history, his life and his experiences, what he had to overcome, but most of all – his family. He taught me to be proud of those things too. The same wish that he always had – all the time – was for us all to spend more time together.
Being unable to visit right now, I am thinking a lot about time and how the ways that we use reflects who we are and I just know that our time with Papa isn’t over yet because he will always be with us, encouraging us along each of our paths and urging us all to be together.
I love you, Papa. I will always remember you and never forget you.
Tine
George: We offer our sympathy at this time of sorrow for your family. Our prayers are with you, know that you have all of your family to help support you in this time of greaving. take care Laura and Rick
When I think of my Papa, I think of a man who valued education, honesty and integrity and improving the world around him. He was always tinkering with some gadget or discussing new and relevant issues about politics or the environment or health care. He was very intelligent with a quick wit and great sense of humour. My Papa inspires me everyday to do well in school and learn as much as I can. I keep him in mind when I strive to do better and achieve more. I have always wanted him to be proud of me. My Papa was a man that lived by his morals and values and inspired everyone around him to do the same. He was the type of person to go back to the cashier and correct her if she’d given him too much change, because that was the right thing to do and he didn’t want her to be in trouble later that evening. He took great care of everything he owned and was never wasteful. He loved his animals and cared for them with a kind, gentle heart. Even our own dogs liked him more than us! He made each one of us feel special and was always there for us when it mattered most. I have so much love and respect for my Papa. I am very proud of him and his life and am thankful that I was able to be a part of it. My Papa left this world better than he came into it by not only the way he lived his life and what he accomplished, but by the inspiration, values and morals that he instilled in his children and grand children so that we may live on and do great things with our own lives.
I miss you and love you so much, Papa.
Jane
My heart goes out to you and your family during this sad and difficult time in your life. When we loose a parent we love so much, it’s heartbreaking, and we wonder how will we ever survive without them , and go on with our lives. We somehow find the strength, through the love and support of our family and friends. Your Dad’s journey here is complete. Jane you are an caring and compassionate person, your Dad passed on those wonderful traits to you. Your love and memories you created with your Dad will live on forever,it transends time.
With my Deepest condolences Jane.
Love your friend, Laurie
Jane and Family,
Our thoughts are with you now and always.Remember no one can ever take your memories from you, and I know he is looking down on you smiling because he helped to create a warm,loving,caring beautiful daughter.
With love always
Sue and Bob
I Know how much you will miss Raymond and my thoughts are with are with you at this time. I never told him how much I cared for him, he was more than a brother-in-law he was a big brother. I will always remember him in
My dearest uncle,(my dad)
How can i put into words how i feel about you, my sweet memories of you are endless and my love you is too.You never judged me but was my strength and my friend.You were my dad in my heart and my soul i will miss you more than i could ever express.I will miss our “porch chats” where we would talk for hours.
You were an ispiration to me and others and you touched my life.
I love you and will see you one day..
God bless and kindest warmth to all the family.My prayers are with you and wish i could be with you.
Love always DAD,
Jo
XXXXXXX
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family in this time of great sorrow.
Please accept our deepest sympathies at your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are there for you at this difficult time.
Ray, Deb and family..Sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Amazing Cruickshanks!
I have so many fond memories of you all, especially Big Ray. I saw him recently in the Loblaws on Wortley in old south. He stood behind me in line, when I looked up and recognized him he was giving me that grin, that grin! He looked so good, I told him he looked like a ‘Dude’ & that he was ‘stylin’. I am so glad I got to see him and make him smile. They sure don’t make’m like that anymore, he was one special stylin’ dude for sure! I am away for several weeks and won’t be able to make the celebration of his life this weekend. I think you all are a great group of amazing people and it is an honor and a pleasure knowing each of you. Take care of each other.
Love, Jan Saddy
A great man and a wonderful uncle. He and Janet helped my mother so much after my fathers’ death. For that, and the many other things, he was much loved and will be much missed.
Dear Willie;
With deepest sympathy I extend my condolences to you and Susan and your family. I know how much you loved your “pops” you spoke often about him, sharing funny stories about him; and it was always a delight to see him come into the showroom. I know that he will be sadly missed and words somehow seem inadequate to help you in your grief. I recently lost my dad and may I share with you that, your memories will be a great source of comfort and strength, and his spirit and love will always be with you. Thinking of you and your family at this time of sorrow, Sincerely, Gail Sellars
EVERYONE HAS THEIR HEROES
I knew my father as a gentle shy strong proud man my father had a gentle way about him that endeared him to children and animals alike his patience understanding and his willingness to communitcate touched all of our children in different ways but they all have one thing in common they loved their papa my fathers gentle nature touched many of our animals lives also there wasn’t a dog in our family that didn’t know it was papa at the door before he even knocked and through the eyes of children and animals there lyes an innocense and trust bonds that were formed and never broken questions that were asked willingness to share and pass on his knowledge my father was not the kind of man who wnated to be thrust into the spotlight he was not a loud man he enjoyed the company of friends and family and preferred to sit back and enjoy his life my father worked very hard in his life from the time he left scotland in 1965 and came to canada he worked hard to provide his family the opportunities to succeed and prosper my father was a strong man strong in character loyalty and committment he was a man of his word his inner strength carried us through the abstracts presented in life the strength in his hands provided food on our table and a roof over our heads a comfortable life that gave us a start on our own my father was a proud man he took pride in his work meticulous and sure he would not leave a task unless it was done right my fathers greatest pride was his family he loved all of us spending time with us taking us camping trips to the beach or spending a sunday helping him fix his car my father lives on in all of us whether it be the sparkle in his eyes or the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed or his sense of humour or the strength in his hands we will carry a part of him inside that we will pass on to our children everyone has a hero thank you papa for being my superman
forever in my heart your son
willie
Our thoughts are with you, Janet and family, in this time of loss. Raymond will be dearly missed by all. We will cherish our memories of Raymond.
EVERYONE HAS THEIR HEROS
I knew my father as a gentle, shy, strong proud man.
My father had a gentle way about him that endeared him to children and animals alike.
His patience understanding and his willingness to communicate touched all our children in different ways but they all have one thing in commen they love their papa.
My fathers gentle nature touched many of our animals lives also there was not a dog in our family that did not know that it was Papa at the door even before he knocked.
Through the eyes of children and animals there lies an innocence and trust.
Bonds that were formed were never broken , questions that were asked were always answered as was his willingness to share and pass on his knowledge.
My father was not the kind of man who wanted to be thrust into the spotlight he was not a loud man he enjoyed the company of friends and family but preferred to sit back and enjoy his life.
My father worked very hard in his life from the time he left Scottland in 1965 and came to Canada he worked hard to provide his family the opportunities to succeed and prosper.
My father was a strong man strong in character , loyalty, and committment.
He was a man of his word.
His inner strength carried us through the obstacles presented in life.
The strength in his hands provided food on our table and a roof over our heads a comfortable life that gave us a start on our own.
My father was a proud man, he took pride in his work, meticulous and sure, he would not leave a task unless it was done right.
My fathers greatest pride was his family he loved all of us spending time with us, taking us camping, trips to the beach or spending a Sunday helping him fix our car.
My father lives on in all of us whether it be the sparkle in his eyes or the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed or his sense of humor or the strength in his hands we will carry a part of him inside that we will pass on to our children.
Everyone has a hero.
Thank you Pops for being my superman.
Forever in my heart.
Love your son William.
To Jane and family,
I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. Times like this are always so difficult and hope you reach out to friends and family for support. We are all here for you.
Dear Dad
When I met your son William I was so nervous when he introduced me to you but in an instant your gentle warm smile and friendly eyes erased all my fears.
Our friendship began when we travelled to Myrtle Beach one year and our bond was formed. The left handed ashtray in the van for driving. The hot coffees together while everyone else went shopping.
Playing the cd salt n pepa while driving through to South Carolina seems like yesterday.
Time passes too quickly we never get to say everything in our hearts.
There was always a cup of tea waiting when I visited. The conversations we had the laughs we shared the imprint you made on Tabatha our daughter the comfortableness that surrounded you I will truly miss all of those.
I can picture you driving sunglasses on arm on the window your favorite driving shirt on. Dog on your lap Cleo with her head out the window her tounge lolling out smelling the path you now travel. You truly are a king of the road.
You are in my heart and prayers.
Love your daughter in-law Susan.
Dear Janet and Jane,
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Sincerly,
Blaine Armitage