John James Cruikshank

John James (JJ) Cruikshank  Jan. 23, 1946 - May 24, 2024

There aren’t too many people who can say that during their hockey career while playing for the Montreal Jr. Canadiens that Gordie Howe looked at all 5’8” of them (on skates) and uttered, “You must be fast.”

It’s with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of John (JJ) Cruikshank on May 24, 2024 in Campbell River, BC to a massive stroke.

A Halifax native, John grew up being super silent while services were underway beneath the family apartment overtop Cruikshank’s Funeral Home on Maynard Street. He wasn’t particularly quiet after that, as he had many stories to tell.

John attended Dalhousie University and UNB for his BA in Physical Education, and Springfield College in Massachusetts for his Masters of Education. He finished his career as a teacher of Phys.Ed. at J.L. Ilsley and B.C. Silver Jr. High Schools as a beloved educator.

John was often seen painting lines at the South End Tennis Club, signing hockey autographs, or instigating shenanigans at the Storey Lake golf course on Vancouver Island. That may seem like a privileged life (which it was), but he shunned it. He would cut the Lacoste alligators out of his collared shirts and was proud to sport a hole instead. As a teacher, he was prone to secretly paying for dentist visits for students whose parents couldn’t afford them or gifting his cherished possessions to friends in need.

Friends remember him as “handsome JJ in his white tennis shorts with the sun behind his hair.” He ran marathons, loved his cats, scared bears off the BC hiking trails and skied steep mogul runs almost as well as his daughter. Later in life he’d intentionally hit golf balls into the trees to curb his competitive spirit. He had his demons as we all do, and while his took more of a toll than most, his generous heart always shone through.

He is survived by his daughter, Jill Amery (Toronto and Mahone Bay), son-in law Derek, sister Marlene Harding (Toronto) and brother Bruce (Halifax) as well as nephews Chris (Danette Pottle) and Brian Cruikshank (Alisha Wedrick); Jeffrey Harding (Janet) and niece Terri Harding. His grandsons Ford and Hudson Amery will miss the big red backpack they used to ride in. Also, his extreme generosity, especially with regards to their health – the blue-blocking glasses and Grampy JJ’s ‘olio’ smoothies with hidden oatmeal for energy.

Whenever you see a Blue Jay, wade into a water hazard and wish to continue a round of golf covered in mud, throw every ingredient in the kitchen into a bread maker, or encourage a killer one-handed backhand in tennis, please smile fondly.

There will be no public service, but all are welcome to pay tribute at the tombstone in the Cruikshank plot at Camp Hill Cemetery where John had, with extreme efficiency, already carved out his name and birth year (which slightly horrified his daughter).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Campbell River SPCA.