John Bradley Cruxton

JOHN BRADLEY CRUXTON J. Bradley Cruxton died June 20, 2011, having lived a life richly blessed by family, friends and professional opportunities. For forty-nine years he was married to his childhood sweetheart Dianne. Brad's greatest joy and pride were his children: Karin (Larry) Sheppard and Mark (Jennifer) and his beloved grandchildren: Marcus, Katrina and Michael Sheppard and Samuel Cruxton. Bradley was loved by his sister Janis Neal of Pickering and his niece Kelly and nephew Douglas. After graduating from the University of Toronto with degrees in History and English and in Theology from Emmanuel College, he was awarded the Watt Travelling Scholarship in Divinity for post-graduate work at the University of Cambridge, England. Then, he served in the Ministry of the United Church of Canada in Leader, Saskatchewan and at Calvin United Church in Pembroke, Ontario. Leaving the parish ministry, he entered public education earning a Master of Education degree (O.I.S.E.). His talents as an outstanding classroom teacher, consultant, and a Special Education Administrator were well recognized. With his colleague and best friend W. Douglas Wilson, he co-authored widely-used History texts, many of which have never been out-of-print for 30 years and are acknowledged among the most valuable teaching tools in Ontario classrooms. It brought him great satisfaction to think that he may have helped to instill an understanding and love of the History of Canada in two generations of students. Among his many interests were collecting, lecturing and researching antique glass. As well as travelling the world, he also treasured his canine companions, the "Westies": Tigger, Flora, Hugo and Hannah and strongly supported the strengthening of the breed through the Canadian West Highland White Terrier Club. First and foremost, Brad was a man of faith. He always had an ecumenical spirit and recognized the good in people of all denominations and religions. In the heady days following Vatican II, he was the first Protestant Minister to welcome a Roman Catholic priest to preach from his United Church pulpit and in return, became the first Protestant pastor ever invited to preach in a Roman Catholic Church in the diocese of Pembroke. All his life he remained true to his family's Scottish Presbyterian roots, was a Friend of the Iona Community in Scotland and a faithful member of the Iona Intercessory Prayer Circle. Latterly, the Cruxtons made their church home at St. Thomas' Anglican Church in Brooklin. They always claimed that, above all else, it was the people of that parish who drew them and kept them at St Thomas'. It was at St Thomas' they found a deep sense of the true meaning of Christian fellowship. The Cruxtons threw themselves into the worship, music, work and expansion ministry of St. Thomas'. Bradley always treasured the opportunity to participate in liturgy, to preach occasionally and to be part of the pastoral ministry team to Fairview Lodge. We will always remember Brad's devotion and love for his family, his generous sharing of knowledge and skills with his students, readers and colleagues, and the honesty and integrity with which he lived his life. We wish to thank all who supported Brad and the family with prayers and good wishes. Special thanks are given to Dr. William Roy, Dr. Ko, Dr. Emmenegger and the members of the medical teams at Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre who have cared for our husband and father during his long struggle with cancer. Cremation has taken place. Visitation is at St. Thomas Anglican Church on Friday, June 24th from 7 to 9 p.m. A Eucharist of Christian Burial will take place at St. Thomas Anglican Church, on Saturday, June 25th at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow in the Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bradley's memory to the St. Thomas Anglican Church Building Fund, 101 Winchester Rd. East, Brooklin, Ontario, and/or Sunnybrook Hospital Cancer Centre Research would be welcomed.