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Alexander Cruickshank Obituary
passed away June 10, 2017 at the Royal Westerly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 97 years old. Born in Marlborough, New Hampshire to Edith (Coutts) and George Cruickshank, he moved with his family to Westerly Rhode Island at the age of nine. He would move next door to his childhood sweetheart and future wife Irene Bromley. Irene passed away 8 years ago; they had been married for 65 years, spending their time between Kingston, Rhode Island and New London, New Hampshire.
Alex received his undergraduate degrees at the University of Rhode Island, then known as the Rhode Island State College, and his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He was a professor of Chemistry at the University of Rhode Island and also served as Director of the Gordon Research Conferences until his retirement in 1993. He enjoyed promoting the interests of science and research while also fostering the amicable exchange of ideas and the formation of lifelong friendship.
Alex was active in the South Kingstown community serving on the Town Council for many years and as a member of the Lions Club. He loved nature and spending time in New Hampshire where he enjoyed hiking, boating and relaxing at Lake Sunapee with family and friends.
Alex is survived by his daughter, Elaine ONeill and her husband, Gerard and their sons Brendan, his wife Kate, and Sean; his son Gary Cruickshank and his daughters Sandra Lane and her children Bradley and Valerie, and Bonnie Rubenthaler, her husband Logan and their son Grady. He was predeceased by his daughter in law Valerie Browning Cruickshank.
Private family services and burial were held at Riverbend Cemetery in Westerly RI, officiated by the Reverend Eileen Lindeman and were provided by Avery Storti Funeral Home in Wakefield, Rhode Island. The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to Brookdale Assisted Living Wakefield RI and to the caring staff at Royal Westerly Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Westerly RI. For guest book and condolences, averystortifuneralhome.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Alexander Cruickshank
Sponsored by Avery-Storti Funeral Home & Crematory - Wakefield.
5 Entries
Sze Yang
June 12, 2020
I remembered Alex as a kind mentor and a wonderful friend. While he was the Chair of URI Chemistry Department, I was hired as a junior faculty. He volunteered his help to get me started life at Kingston (where to live, introduced me to the community), and advices on the task for how to set up research lab in the department. When I went to attend scientific conferences, many highly respected scientists would say "Oh, please send my regards to Alex" when they see my name tag says URI. Being the long-time director of Gordon Conference, he put URI and Kingston on the map for many scientists. For all his accomplishments, he is a down-to-earth man. He has always been a straight talker, there was never a need to second guessing what he meant. He will always exist in many people's fond memory. Sze Yang
William Bilgor
June 24, 2017
Alex was a great friend and mentor, and one of my favorite Professors during my 9 years at URI. He was always in my thoughts, and will be dearly missed. -Bill Bilgor
June 17, 2017
Beverly Mae Cruickshank Roberts:
Dad, William Cruickshank and Alex were first cousins. May they meet in heaven. Husband Eliot Roberts Sr passed in October 2015. He was a professor at URI also. Alex was known as an outstanding, loyal and kimd man. My family send condolences to Alex's family.
June 16, 2017
Alex Cruickshank had been a great mentor and wonderful friend to me. I would like to express my condolences for Alex's family, and use my remembrance to celebrate his life.
I was hired as an assistant professor when Alex was the chemistry department chair. He and Irene gave encouraging and useful advices to help me getting started work (as chair) and living (as a knowledgeable town councilman).
In my travels I found Alex's Gordon Conference was widely recognized by scientists worldwide. Many world-famous scientists worked as topical conference organizers. I witnessed their affection and admiration to Alex's contributions. We miss Alex, but we know he lived a good life.
Charlene and Sze Yang
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