Jack Cruikshank Passes
Former racetrack operator and well-known philanthropist Jack Cruikshank passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 6, 2011 in Halifax, Nova Scotia
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A well known businessman, Jack was born in Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1932, the only son of the late Captain Jack and Margaret (Macaulay). The elder Jack is best known in the harness racing community for building Sackville Downs, which his son continued to operate when "Captain Jack" passed in 1981.
Jack was a co-founder of CFDR Radio Station in Dartmouth, a member of the Board of Directors of Air Canada, the United States Trotting Association and President of the National Association of Canadian Race Tracks. He was perhaps best known for operating Sackville Downs Raceway for over 30 years.
Jack was always very involved supporting charity works. He served as Director of Rainbow Haven for 32 years and through Sackville Downs raised money for many local charities. After his retirement, he founded the Turkey Club, a charity which supports the less fortunate at Christmas. Jack was fondly known as "the Head Turkey" by his many friends. Jack was a lifelong Liberal with an abiding love of politics. He was Federal Campaign Manager for Nova Scotia and served on the National Campaign Committee for Prime Ministers Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Trudeau.
Jack is survived by his wife, June (Hoadley), his daughters Lynn (William) McRae, Halifax and Vancouver and Christine (Kevin) Andrews; grandchildren Nicholas and Katherine Andrews, Toronto; sister Elsie Jollimore and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are entrusted to J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax (902) 455-0531. Funeral Service will be held at St. Peter's Anglican Church, 3 Dakin Drive (corner of Bedford Hwy and Kearney Lake Road) on Tuesday, October 11th at 2pm. Reception to follow at the church. Burial at a later date. Family flowers only. If so desired, memorials may be directed to St. Peter's Anglican Church, 3 Dakin Drive, Halifax B3M 2C9 or to the ALS Society ).
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jack Cruikshank.
It is with great sadness I
It is with great sadness I read about the passing of Jack Cruikshank. I will always have a debt of gratitude to Jack for his help when applying for my Trainer/Driver licence in the late 1960's. My heartfelt condolences go out to Jack's wife June, as well as his family.