JOHN STIRLING CRUICKSHANKS, III Born: August 19, 1950; Died: March 24, 2020, in his Backyard on the 1200 Block of Wilmington Avenue, in Ginter Park, in Richmond, VA. John grew-up, on the 1600 Block of Wilmington Avenue. He was a 1972 Graduate of VA. TECH.
I am devastated over the loss of my older brother, John, on March 24, 2020. He used to drive me to JMHS, every day, during his Senior Year. After he went off to College, I had to go back to riding the City Bus, home. I affectionately called John, "Skinny", because he used to be "pudgy". However, as a Sophmore at JMHS,John joined the Cross Country Team and ran, everyday. He kept on running, at VA. Tech, where he also ran on the Cross Country Team. After graduation from VA. Tech, he kept on running, daily, through Bryan Park and Ginter Park, where he lived. John bought Melinda Durbn's--JMHS :68--home on Wilmington Avenue, in 1975, and he still lived there, at his untimely death, in his lovely backyard. His ex-wife caused his death; whon he was only married to for one year; and had been divorced from for more than 18-years. She was a BAD influence on John, even though she was a Nurse Aneitheists; she was NOT a Christian, and John was brought up in Ginter Park Baptist Church. She only cared about $$$$$, and married John, for that reason. That NEVER turns out well. There are no children and I am left, mourning this tremndous loss.
John LOVED his three dogs, and had many Weimariner's during his 69-years, on Wilmington Avenue. He LOVED boating and was given a large, yellow Johnson boat, when he was in the 10th Grade, at JMHS, by my Parents. We spent every weekend, at the River, water-skiing behind this powerful boat, with a 155 Inboard/Outboard Motor, on it. John would pull three or four of us, at a time, on the back of that powerful boat, water-skiing. My cousins would also join us, on weekends, on the Piantiank River, water-skiing, and jumping in the river, from a long, rope swing. Remarkably, no one got hurt, and a great time, was had, by ALL.
Every Saturday night, we would go The Campgrounds, where they had a Dance, every Saturday night. Everyone from age 3-99 years old, would DANCE the night away, to a LIVE BAND. That was Entertainment!! My Mom cooked all of the crabs and fish that we caight from the pier and that yellow boat, and the house always smelled of Old Bay Seasoning. What wonderful memories I have, of ALL of us, at the Rivah, on weekends. It was a way of life, with our Family, and John was always inviting friends to water-ski with him. Alan McNutt was a frequent skier with John, and was with him, when that fabulous boat, fell-off of John's Trailer, when they were going down I-64, in my Father's green Oldsmobile. That big boat slid off the trailer and then slid-down I-64, before coming to a screeching halt. Thankfully, no-one was hurt; only that Fiberglass boat, which had to be retired, due to severe cracks in the Fiberglass Hull.
John, of course, ordered another bigger, better Fiberglass Boat, and the fun resumed. He also had a home built, on the Rivah, in Deltaville, after his Divorce. The fun, continued, there, but John said, "No water-skiing; we're too OLD". I said "Speak for yourself; we're NOT too old." So he bought a Jet-Ski and the FUN, continued.
You could not help but have FUN, around John, because he truly WAS the "Director of Fun". His first car, was a Silver Corvette, while he was working for my Father. We took many snow-skiing trips, together, to Wintergreen, where John taught me, HOW to snow-ski. John's skii's were strapped to the roof, of that Corvette. After that first trip, I was HOOKED; and we continued making early-morning trips, to Wintergreen, to pursue that passion. We even enjoyed talking to "Truckers", on his CB Radio, in the early morning hours, while driving in that Corvette, to Wintergreen. I had to rent skiis, and then we stayed all day, skiing. We had so much FUN, together.; snow-skiing, water-skiing and hiking to the top of Old Rag Mountain and Crab Tree Falls..John skied all over the State, Country and the World, and made many lasting friendships. He was a life-long Memeber of both the VA. Ski Club and the Richmond Ski Club.
He also traveled, extensively, to many exotic Islands and to Europe. John also BUILT a house, from the scratch, on Avondale Avenue. He also still owned that and the house, next-door, to it, at the time of his death. His passion was rehabbing homes, which he did, in his spare-time. He then built that house on Avondale, and it was beautiful--two-story Dutch Colonial, with the best-of-the best of everything, inside. I kept going over there, asking him, HOW he KNEW, how to do all of that. He said, "I just do what comes naturally." Like my Father, who was a Civil Engineer, John had a lot of natural-ability, and he used that ability, to do, what he LOVED most; live LIFE. He maintained ALL of his many properties, through the years, and always fixed everything, himself. He owned 12-peoperties, for many years. and rented-out those properties, through the many years.
Tragically, that is how he met his ex-wife. After five years of chasing John, and threatening him, if he did NOT marry her, he finally gave in, at age 50; she was 40, and she did NOT know how to cook, at all. She would NOT even go to the grocery store, EVER. When I asked john, HOW they eat their meals, he said, "I have to take her out to eat, if I WANT TO EAT., even BREAKFAST, or I DON'T EAT." She walks around the house, eating doughnuts and drinking coffee., which she BUYS for HERSELF." That was TRAGIC for him, as he came from a home, where my Mom cooked big meals, DAILY, and he enjoyed eating there. After Mom passed, he would come out to my home, for meals, as he LOVED my cooking, and continually bragged about my cooking, to my relatives. I was FLATTERED by all of his PRAISE. I even fed he and his ex, during the year, that they were married, for all Holiday meals.That ex, called her sister, in Boston, and told her, in front of me, that I had purchased a Christmas meal, from Ukrops. I immediately corrected her, stating that I COOKED the entire meal, from scratch, and had cooked for SIX HOURS, that morning; getting up at 6 a.m., in order to "Make that MEAL, HAPPEN." Non-cookers just do NOT KNOW, how much work it IS, to cook, all of that FOOD. But John APPRECIATED it. and always did. He always knew that I was always cooking out here, in the Henrico suburbs, and that he could come, anytime, and get a GOOD MEAL. For a Batchelor, that was HEAVENLY. I was my Mom, reincarnated, to him, I guess.
I have missed him terribly, as there will NEVER be another John. His ex left the State, for five months, after his death, and should have been arrested. This is white-coolar crime, and tragically, many people get away with it. I had his death investigated and told the Sargeant, in the City of Richmond, the Day after his death, that I wanted that EX, BEHIND BARS. I am STILL working on that, in order to seek JUSTICE for JOHN, who, after all, was a JAYEM JUSTICE, for LIFE.
John is buried in our Family Plot, in Hollywood Cemetery. My ENTIRE Family is buried there, having just lost my younger brother, Dr. Robert Edward Cruickshanks, on December 10, 2020, from a bad fall in his home, which led to bleeding in the brain and five brain surgeries, between November 20-December 2, 2020. Bob was JMHS Class of 1972 and he was a Dentist, in Bon Air, for more than 34-years. I am having his Memorial Service, at my Church, Second Baptist, on April 9, 2021, at 12 noon. Internment in Hollywood Cemetery, BEFORE the Service; at 11 a.m.; then a luncheon in my home and backyard. Bob's 67th Birthday, is April 13, 2021, and I wanted to get him buried, in-time for his Birthday.
2020 has most defintely been the WORST year of my life, having lost BOTH of my remaining, living brothers. My youngest brother, Tom, JMHS '74, drowned, trying to SAVE his invalid, 16-1/2 year old Golden Retriever Dog, from drowning. Tom drowned and his dog, drowned, in that lake, in Bon Air, behind the UKROPS on Huguenot Road, while he was living with his brother Bob, the Dentist, in Bon Air. Tom had just moved back to Richmond, from Nevada, where he did a lot of snow-skking. His younger Golden Retriever, Rusty, swan around Tom, barking, after he went under the water--trying to alert someone that Tom needed help. The Headmaster of Trinity Episcopal School,.who was working in that Office Building, on that fatal Sunday morning, jumped in, to rescue him, but stated that the water was so cold; that he had to get out, and call 911. 911 sent divers, but NO WETSUITS or TANKS; so had to send for divers WITH Wetsuits and TANKS, to navigate that 12-foot deep, very murky lake. All of this took precious time, which Tom did NOT have. They finally found him at the bottom of that 12-foot Lake, behind the UKROPS, on Huguenot Road, and attempted to resitate him, for more than an hour, that Sunday morning; to NO avil.
I have relatives who live behind that property in Bon Air, and as children, we used to go out there and Fly Kites, on that very Property and location, where Tom DROWNED. It was owned by the Larriss Family.. They eventually SOLD it, and it was developed into a Shopping Center, Lake---for aestetic purposes; and Office Building. There should have been a NO TRESSPASSING Sign, posted there, but there was NONE. Tom's Vet., Dr. Locke Taylor, told Tom, just a few days before his drowning, that, "If you ever expect your Dog to walk again, you HAVE to EXERCISE your dog". Tom said, "She can't WALK or RUN, anymore." Dr. Taylor said, "She can SWIM and you HAVE TO take her swimming." Tom said, "It's Winter Time and the water is TOO COLD for her to swim." Dr. Taylor said, "Dogs don't mind COLD water. Take her swimming and throw toys out in the water, for her to retrieve." Tom did just that, but look HOW THAT, turned out----TRAGICALLY. All three of my brothers, DIED the most TRAGIC DEATHS, possible. I only wish that I could have dome SOMETHING to PREVENT their Deaths. Hind Sight is a wonderful thing, sadly.
His younger dog, Rusty, took up, with me, and wanted to come home with me. I had two senior-citizen Persians in my home, and feared that he might hurt them, or even EAT them. So I brought him home with me, every weekend, and did not take my eyes off-of him, around my sweet kitties--one of which was 21-years old; the other was 18-1/2 yers old. Rusty NEVER harmed my kitties, and enjoyed being a part of a Family, again. In the spring, I had my back-yard, fenced in, so Rusty could live here, full-time. He was THRILLED. i even bought him a Dog House, but he was not having anything to do with that; he wanted to come inside, from the time, I got home, from work, and sleep inside, too. He was so well-behaved and lovable, that it was the least that I could do, for my "little brother", Tom..Tom was only 39-years old. It nearly killed my Mom. So glad that she is NOT here, to endure the loss of both Bob and John, within 801/2months, of each other, in 2020. I'm trying to forget 2020, along with the rest of us.
I have given a Eulogy for each one of my family Members, except John, because his Memorial Service was held grave-side, at Hollywood Cemetery, on August 21, 2020---his 70th Birthday would have been on August 19, 2020. Please accept THIS, lengthy summary of John's LIFE, as my Eulogy to his precious LIFE. that ended, WAY TOO SOON. John was in excellent health; He was just HOUNDED-TO-DEATH, by his EX, to REMARRRY HER, even though he kept saying, :NO. I will NEVER REMARRY YOU". All because she NO longer wanted to WORK, at the VA Hospital, because she did NOT want to work around COVID Patients--a very SELFISH Nurse. She was a HORRIBLE excuse for a Wife--only caring about HERSELF; and Nurse, because she HATED working with Patuents, as she did NOT have a People-Personality, at all; John DID, and I so MISS him, because he always called me EVERY DAY. Please Rest in Peace, sweet John, and I do hope to spend time, in Heaven with you, in the Future. We have a lot of "catching-up", to do!! :)
I send a HUGE THANK YOU, to John McCauley JMHS '68, whom I reached out to, to POST John's Passing on your IN MEMORY, site. THANK YOU, JOHN!! Although I graduated from our Rival, Thomas Jefferson, I spent my Freshman through Junior years, at JMH--Class of 1970.. ONLY my Senior Year, was at Thomas Jefferson. I still go to ALL of TJHS Class Reunions, and have NEVER been to a JMHS Reunion. Things CHANGED, after the Class of '68 graduated, and NOT for the better. My Father threatened to enroll me, in Collegiate School, but I was NOT HAVING IT. Then he said he would send me to TJHS, and I was THRILLED!! I had already been to St. Margaret's School, in Tappahannock, for the duration of my Junior Year, but was not happy, there---too strict, and I am NOT the type of person that you have to be STRICT, with. However, I had the BEST experience, EVER, at TJHS, after a miserable one, my junior year, after you guys, graduated. TJHS ROCKS!! :)
John's Obituary ran in the RTD on April 4, 2020. However, I have now downloaded that Obituary, to this page, but it won't upload, to this site. Does ANYONE KNOW HOW to do that???? Contact me if you do, through email: scannski@aol.com THANK YOU!!!
Patricia Cruickshanks (TJHS 1970)
JOHN STIRLING CRUICKSHANKS, III Born: August 19, 1950; Died: March 24, 2020, in his Backyard on the 1200 Block of Wilmington Avenue, in Ginter Park, in Richmond, VA. John grew-up, on the 1600 Block of Wilmington Avenue. He was a 1972 Graduate of VA. TECH.
I am devastated over the loss of my older brother, John, on March 24, 2020. He used to drive me to JMHS, every day, during his Senior Year. After he went off to College, I had to go back to riding the City Bus, home. I affectionately called John, "Skinny", because he used to be "pudgy". However, as a Sophmore at JMHS,John joined the Cross Country Team and ran, everyday. He kept on running, at VA. Tech, where he also ran on the Cross Country Team. After graduation from VA. Tech, he kept on running, daily, through Bryan Park and Ginter Park, where he lived. John bought Melinda Durbn's--JMHS :68--home on Wilmington Avenue, in 1975, and he still lived there, at his untimely death, in his lovely backyard. His ex-wife caused his death; whon he was only married to for one year; and had been divorced from for more than 18-years. She was a BAD influence on John, even though she was a Nurse Aneitheists; she was NOT a Christian, and John was brought up in Ginter Park Baptist Church. She only cared about $$$$$, and married John, for that reason. That NEVER turns out well. There are no children and I am left, mourning this tremndous loss.
John LOVED his three dogs, and had many Weimariner's during his 69-years, on Wilmington Avenue. He LOVED boating and was given a large, yellow Johnson boat, when he was in the 10th Grade, at JMHS, by my Parents. We spent every weekend, at the River, water-skiing behind this powerful boat, with a 155 Inboard/Outboard Motor, on it. John would pull three or four of us, at a time, on the back of that powerful boat, water-skiing. My cousins would also join us, on weekends, on the Piantiank River, water-skiing, and jumping in the river, from a long, rope swing. Remarkably, no one got hurt, and a great time, was had, by ALL.
Every Saturday night, we would go The Campgrounds, where they had a Dance, every Saturday night. Everyone from age 3-99 years old, would DANCE the night away, to a LIVE BAND. That was Entertainment!! My Mom cooked all of the crabs and fish that we caight from the pier and that yellow boat, and the house always smelled of Old Bay Seasoning. What wonderful memories I have, of ALL of us, at the Rivah, on weekends. It was a way of life, with our Family, and John was always inviting friends to water-ski with him. Alan McNutt was a frequent skier with John, and was with him, when that fabulous boat, fell-off of John's Trailer, when they were going down I-64, in my Father's green Oldsmobile. That big boat slid off the trailer and then slid-down I-64, before coming to a screeching halt. Thankfully, no-one was hurt; only that Fiberglass boat, which had to be retired, due to severe cracks in the Fiberglass Hull.
John, of course, ordered another bigger, better Fiberglass Boat, and the fun resumed. He also had a home built, on the Rivah, in Deltaville, after his Divorce. The fun, continued, there, but John said, "No water-skiing; we're too OLD". I said "Speak for yourself; we're NOT too old." So he bought a Jet-Ski and the FUN, continued.
You could not help but have FUN, around John, because he truly WAS the "Director of Fun". His first car, was a Silver Corvette, while he was working for my Father. We took many snow-skiing trips, together, to Wintergreen, where John taught me, HOW to snow-ski. John's skii's were strapped to the roof, of that Corvette. After that first trip, I was HOOKED; and we continued making early-morning trips, to Wintergreen, to pursue that passion. We even enjoyed talking to "Truckers", on his CB Radio, in the early morning hours, while driving in that Corvette, to Wintergreen. I had to rent skiis, and then we stayed all day, skiing. We had so much FUN, together.; snow-skiing, water-skiing and hiking to the top of Old Rag Mountain and Crab Tree Falls..John skied all over the State, Country and the World, and made many lasting friendships. He was a life-long Memeber of both the VA. Ski Club and the Richmond Ski Club.
He also traveled, extensively, to many exotic Islands and to Europe. John also BUILT a house, from the scratch, on Avondale Avenue. He also still owned that and the house, next-door, to it, at the time of his death. His passion was rehabbing homes, which he did, in his spare-time. He then built that house on Avondale, and it was beautiful--two-story Dutch Colonial, with the best-of-the best of everything, inside. I kept going over there, asking him, HOW he KNEW, how to do all of that. He said, "I just do what comes naturally." Like my Father, who was a Civil Engineer, John had a lot of natural-ability, and he used that ability, to do, what he LOVED most; live LIFE. He maintained ALL of his many properties, through the years, and always fixed everything, himself. He owned 12-peoperties, for many years. and rented-out those properties, through the many years.
Tragically, that is how he met his ex-wife. After five years of chasing John, and threatening him, if he did NOT marry her, he finally gave in, at age 50; she was 40, and she did NOT know how to cook, at all. She would NOT even go to the grocery store, EVER. When I asked john, HOW they eat their meals, he said, "I have to take her out to eat, if I WANT TO EAT., even BREAKFAST, or I DON'T EAT." She walks around the house, eating doughnuts and drinking coffee., which she BUYS for HERSELF." That was TRAGIC for him, as he came from a home, where my Mom cooked big meals, DAILY, and he enjoyed eating there. After Mom passed, he would come out to my home, for meals, as he LOVED my cooking, and continually bragged about my cooking, to my relatives. I was FLATTERED by all of his PRAISE. I even fed he and his ex, during the year, that they were married, for all Holiday meals.That ex, called her sister, in Boston, and told her, in front of me, that I had purchased a Christmas meal, from Ukrops. I immediately corrected her, stating that I COOKED the entire meal, from scratch, and had cooked for SIX HOURS, that morning; getting up at 6 a.m., in order to "Make that MEAL, HAPPEN." Non-cookers just do NOT KNOW, how much work it IS, to cook, all of that FOOD. But John APPRECIATED it. and always did. He always knew that I was always cooking out here, in the Henrico suburbs, and that he could come, anytime, and get a GOOD MEAL. For a Batchelor, that was HEAVENLY. I was my Mom, reincarnated, to him, I guess.
I have missed him terribly, as there will NEVER be another John. His ex left the State, for five months, after his death, and should have been arrested. This is white-coolar crime, and tragically, many people get away with it. I had his death investigated and told the Sargeant, in the City of Richmond, the Day after his death, that I wanted that EX, BEHIND BARS. I am STILL working on that, in order to seek JUSTICE for JOHN, who, after all, was a JAYEM JUSTICE, for LIFE.
John is buried in our Family Plot, in Hollywood Cemetery. My ENTIRE Family is buried there, having just lost my younger brother, Dr. Robert Edward Cruickshanks, on December 10, 2020, from a bad fall in his home, which led to bleeding in the brain and five brain surgeries, between November 20-December 2, 2020. Bob was JMHS Class of 1972 and he was a Dentist, in Bon Air, for more than 34-years. I am having his Memorial Service, at my Church, Second Baptist, on April 9, 2021, at 12 noon. Internment in Hollywood Cemetery, BEFORE the Service; at 11 a.m.; then a luncheon in my home and backyard. Bob's 67th Birthday, is April 13, 2021, and I wanted to get him buried, in-time for his Birthday.
2020 has most defintely been the WORST year of my life, having lost BOTH of my remaining, living brothers. My youngest brother, Tom, JMHS '74, drowned, trying to SAVE his invalid, 16-1/2 year old Golden Retriever Dog, from drowning. Tom drowned and his dog, drowned, in that lake, in Bon Air, behind the UKROPS on Huguenot Road, while he was living with his brother Bob, the Dentist, in Bon Air. Tom had just moved back to Richmond, from Nevada, where he did a lot of snow-skking. His younger Golden Retriever, Rusty, swan around Tom, barking, after he went under the water--trying to alert someone that Tom needed help. The Headmaster of Trinity Episcopal School,.who was working in that Office Building, on that fatal Sunday morning, jumped in, to rescue him, but stated that the water was so cold; that he had to get out, and call 911. 911 sent divers, but NO WETSUITS or TANKS; so had to send for divers WITH Wetsuits and TANKS, to navigate that 12-foot deep, very murky lake. All of this took precious time, which Tom did NOT have. They finally found him at the bottom of that 12-foot Lake, behind the UKROPS, on Huguenot Road, and attempted to resitate him, for more than an hour, that Sunday morning; to NO avil.
I have relatives who live behind that property in Bon Air, and as children, we used to go out there and Fly Kites, on that very Property and location, where Tom DROWNED. It was owned by the Larriss Family.. They eventually SOLD it, and it was developed into a Shopping Center, Lake---for aestetic purposes; and Office Building. There should have been a NO TRESSPASSING Sign, posted there, but there was NONE. Tom's Vet., Dr. Locke Taylor, told Tom, just a few days before his drowning, that, "If you ever expect your Dog to walk again, you HAVE to EXERCISE your dog". Tom said, "She can't WALK or RUN, anymore." Dr. Taylor said, "She can SWIM and you HAVE TO take her swimming." Tom said, "It's Winter Time and the water is TOO COLD for her to swim." Dr. Taylor said, "Dogs don't mind COLD water. Take her swimming and throw toys out in the water, for her to retrieve." Tom did just that, but look HOW THAT, turned out----TRAGICALLY. All three of my brothers, DIED the most TRAGIC DEATHS, possible. I only wish that I could have dome SOMETHING to PREVENT their Deaths. Hind Sight is a wonderful thing, sadly.
His younger dog, Rusty, took up, with me, and wanted to come home with me. I had two senior-citizen Persians in my home, and feared that he might hurt them, or even EAT them. So I brought him home with me, every weekend, and did not take my eyes off-of him, around my sweet kitties--one of which was 21-years old; the other was 18-1/2 yers old. Rusty NEVER harmed my kitties, and enjoyed being a part of a Family, again. In the spring, I had my back-yard, fenced in, so Rusty could live here, full-time. He was THRILLED. i even bought him a Dog House, but he was not having anything to do with that; he wanted to come inside, from the time, I got home, from work, and sleep inside, too. He was so well-behaved and lovable, that it was the least that I could do, for my "little brother", Tom..Tom was only 39-years old. It nearly killed my Mom. So glad that she is NOT here, to endure the loss of both Bob and John, within 801/2months, of each other, in 2020. I'm trying to forget 2020, along with the rest of us.
I have given a Eulogy for each one of my family Members, except John, because his Memorial Service was held grave-side, at Hollywood Cemetery, on August 21, 2020---his 70th Birthday would have been on August 19, 2020. Please accept THIS, lengthy summary of John's LIFE, as my Eulogy to his precious LIFE. that ended, WAY TOO SOON. John was in excellent health; He was just HOUNDED-TO-DEATH, by his EX, to REMARRRY HER, even though he kept saying, :NO. I will NEVER REMARRY YOU". All because she NO longer wanted to WORK, at the VA Hospital, because she did NOT want to work around COVID Patients--a very SELFISH Nurse. She was a HORRIBLE excuse for a Wife--only caring about HERSELF; and Nurse, because she HATED working with Patuents, as she did NOT have a People-Personality, at all; John DID, and I so MISS him, because he always called me EVERY DAY. Please Rest in Peace, sweet John, and I do hope to spend time, in Heaven with you, in the Future. We have a lot of "catching-up", to do!! :)
I send a HUGE THANK YOU, to John McCauley JMHS '68, whom I reached out to, to POST John's Passing on your IN MEMORY, site. THANK YOU, JOHN!! Although I graduated from our Rival, Thomas Jefferson, I spent my Freshman through Junior years, at JMH--Class of 1970.. ONLY my Senior Year, was at Thomas Jefferson. I still go to ALL of TJHS Class Reunions, and have NEVER been to a JMHS Reunion. Things CHANGED, after the Class of '68 graduated, and NOT for the better. My Father threatened to enroll me, in Collegiate School, but I was NOT HAVING IT. Then he said he would send me to TJHS, and I was THRILLED!! I had already been to St. Margaret's School, in Tappahannock, for the duration of my Junior Year, but was not happy, there---too strict, and I am NOT the type of person that you have to be STRICT, with. However, I had the BEST experience, EVER, at TJHS, after a miserable one, my junior year, after you guys, graduated. TJHS ROCKS!! :)
John's Obituary ran in the RTD on April 4, 2020. However, I have now downloaded that Obituary, to this page, but it won't upload, to this site. Does ANYONE KNOW HOW to do that???? Contact me if you do, through email: scannski@aol.com THANK YOU!!!