OCAA IS SAD TO ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF JOHN CRUICKSHANK

It is with great sadness that the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) announce that our dear friend, colleague and a visionary leader of the OCAA and CCAA, John Cruickshank, passed away Saturday, June 23.

John began his post-secondary athletic career in 1969 when he became Athletic Director at Sheridan College. Cruickshank built the Sheridan athletic program from its beginnings and he quickly became an influential leader amongst a group of formidable OCAA executive members from 1975 -1978. These were important years as the OCAA moved from a fledgling association to a viable, competitive conference with a dedicated Central Office. As an OCAA Convenor, Cruickshank oversaw cross-country running in 1969-70, judo in 1970-71 and 1972-73, and curling from 1978 to 1980.

To the delight of Seneca College, John became the Dean of Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation in 1979. His professionalism, energy and forward thinking transformed Seneca athletics. John could not only paint exciting visions of future states, but could motivate and lead staff towards new heights.  

In 1979 John was elected to the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association Executive where he held Vice Presidential roles until 1985. John's professionalism was respected by all. He forged strong relationships within our associations and  he always seemed to be able to think out of the box for ideas to make the association stronger. John documented a definitive history of the first ten years of the CCAA as part of his Master’s thesis. Former CCAA President Chuck Gullickson offered this comment, "I don't think I've ever encountered anyone like John. He was smart, he was driven and he made a difference!"

In 1985, the OCAA presented Cruickshank with a Shield Award to recognize his contributions to the association and was later inducted into OCAA Hall of Fame as a builder in 2003.
 
John was the tender husband of Colleen for almost 45 years, the proud father of Karin Boisclair-Joly (Alain) and Christina Magill (Josh Coles), and "Grampy" to the Boisclair-Joly children, Solène, Madeleine and Étienne. He was predeceased by his sister, Jean Goodwin, and brother, James Cruickshank.
 
John will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.

Source: OCAA Communications