TRIBUTE - GORDON JOHN CRUICKSHANK

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A MEMBER of staff who has been instrumental in the success of the Children’s Opportunity Centre in Coleford has died, aged just 67 years, following a short spell with cancer.

His wife of 47 years, Elaine, says in the seven years Gordon Cruickshank handled the charity’s finances he had left it in the ‘best place it has ever been’.

Mass tributes have also been paid by his colleagues and friends.

Among those are centre manager, Marilyn Smith who said: “Gord did an excellent job ensuring we were much more sustainable by securing grants and funding. He turned our finances around. He would also put his hand to anything including fixing shelves and toys etc and supporting our fun days. We will miss him as a colleague, friend and finance and facilities coordinator.”

Before joining the centre Mr Cruickshank, of Mitcheldean, had taken early retirement at Rank Xerox where he had worked in the company’s finance department for 33 years.

His son Ian, who is one of Gordon’s three children, said: “Dad has always worked in finance and used his knowledge and experience to leave the centre in a better place than when he found it. He was passionate about the centre for very personal reasons.”

He added: “Apart from his interest in the Children’s Opportunity Centre, dad was a devoted family man – especially to his four grandsons one of whom was born just two weeks before he died.”

As well as providing a range of support and services to families with a baby or young child aged up to seven with special needs or disabilities living within the Forest of Dean, the centre offers home visits, play schemes and therapy sessions.

His wife, Elaine said: “Gord would get frustrated about the lack of funding the centre received and it was getting more apparent it was only going to get more difficult.

“He was a stoical person and dealt with secondary lung and liver cancer with great dignity and never complained.

“He didn’t get a diagnosis until six weeks before he died. We were very fortunate to receive second-to-none treatment from the doctors and consultants – I can’t thank them enough for supporting us.

“There was an unprecedented number of people at the funeral service and it confirmed to us just how highly regarded Gordon was to people. He would have been amazed at the turnout.”

Donations in Gordon’s memory may be sent to Roger Barnard, Funeral Director, 88 Littledean Hill Road, Cinderford.