The death of Swinging Stars Band member, Marcel Cruickshank, will create a void in the band, at least for some time, says founding member, Norman Letang.
Cruickshank died on Friday night at Princess Margaret Hospital after suffering from ailing health for some time.
Letang told our newsroom that the members of Swinging Stars were saddened by the loss of the Cruickshank who died of heart complications after suffering two strokes.
“He got a second stroke after Carnival. He had got a stroke before that but that really put him down and he went to Martinique eventually,” Letang explained. “They seem to have realized that there wasn’t much they could do….he had three leaking valves. I mean a quarter of his heart was dead.”
He said Cruickshank loved Swinging Stars and enjoyed his role in the band.
“He loved to set up the equipment and to handle the sound. I mean you have to face it; even this carnival, I suspect against advice, he still came and engineered every night at the tent…for all the activities. We have to say a big thank you to him,” the Swinging Stars elder
According to Letang, Cruickshshank’s condition worsened after Carnival and he was unable to continue to work with Swinging Stars.
The band has since brought in a new engineer but Letang said Cruickshank will be remembered for his diligence in setting up the equipment, and his ability to achieve a rounded sound for the band.
“He was the engineer for years, eh….maybe forty years. His strong point was actually setting up the stuff and he made it sound good. We go somewhere and in an hour’s time, we set up and sound good,” Letang recalled.
As an electronics technician and electrician who operated his own workshop, Cruickshank was also, according to Letang, an asset who dealt with minor electronic and electrical problems for the band.
Letang told Dominica News Online (DNO) that to the best of his knowledge, Cruickshank is survived by a son, Al and a daughter, Shahida.
He was a good man. Always ready to help and find a solution that was the challenge to him to fix things without fuss. Shall miss him in that spot in Roseau. If he has gone to heaven I’m sure he did not go in a chariot but in a Volkswagen.
Rip. Please accept my sympathy Ronald Cruickshank.
May his soul rest in peace. My sympathy to the family and friends. His death should remind us that we are not all there forever and i hope he had an understudy to whom he shared his wealth of knowledge and skills so that void will be easily filled. This means there is opportunity for a young person who aspire to follow his footsteps. Loom to the future and what new and exciting thing may lie while we pay respect and homage to the past.
Rest In Peace my Friend!!
I have known Marcel for only a short time, but what a fantastic human being. He would go out of his way to help others. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, and may he rest in peace until the Lord calls his name again. Thank you Marcel!
Marcel Cruickshank – A very dedicated and dear friend. In a few word I can say “A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul ascended to heaven”
RIP Marcel you will surely be missed
Rest in peace brother… You will definitely be missed by many.
so sad knew him since i’m a kid so long my bro
A man like Cruicky was a big asset to Stars and Dominica and it’s musical history on a whole one of the original members of Exile One if we had a half way decent country with at least a moderate health system a lot of people would be alive today. Every time a major medical arises you have to fly to a Martinique or Gwada these country facilities are for their citizen,and that is what Dominica needs to have it’s own medical/health care to accommodate it’s people.This useless government has to vacate the building.