William H. Cruikshank, 85, of County Road, Ipswich, died peacefully
in his home on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
Born
in Cambridge, NY November 16, 1927, William, known as Bill to
friends and family, was the son of the late Ethelinda (Tucker)
Cruikshank and Donald H. Cruikshank Sr. He came to Ipswich at the
age of two with his older brother, the late Donald H. Cruikshank
Jr., when his mother returned to live in her hometown. William's
mother, Ethelinda, remarried the late Harry S. Merson, former
superintendent of the Ipswich Schools, when Bill was a teen. A 1945
graduate of Ipswich High School, he worked at Sylvania in
Ipswich during the World War II years and later employed by the
Trustees of the Reservation for over fifty years as a department
head and manager of the Crane Beach Store.
As a
young man, he had a love for aviation and earned a private pilot
license while flying from the former Essex Airport. He was an avid
bowler and golfer and enjoyed visiting and playing golf courses and
resorts around New England. Bill also enjoyed learning and reading
about American history and was particularly interested in Ipswich
history.
He
was a member of the Baha’i Faith.
William is survived by his nephews, Robert Cruikshank of
Londonderry, NH and Tucker Cruikshank of Montpelier, VT; and nieces,
Anne Bouchard of Lebanon, NH and Sue Moulton of Rochester, VT. Bill
was predeceased in February by his long-time companion and best
friend, Joan Walsh, formerly of Boxford.
His funeral service will
be held 11 am, Monday June 3, graveside in the Southside Cemetery,
Ipswich. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Visiting
hours are Sunday 5 to 8 pm in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, Six
High Street, Ipswich. Memorial contributions in his name may be made
to a charity of one’s choice.
