Alexander Middleton Cruickshank

Alexander M. Cruickshank 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.