Thomas McCreadie
Thomas McCreadie (3 August 1927 – 6 July 2021 (aged 93)), known as Tom, was a railway supervisor and community organizer in the Thunder Bay area, remembered as a co-founder of the Thunder Bay Food Bank.
Early life
McCreadie was born on 3 August 1927 at his family home in the Westfort area of Fort William, delivered by his grandmother, who was a midwife.[1] He was the son of Jack McCreadie and Jane "Jean" McCreadie (née Crabbe). As a boy he played hockey, soccer and baseball, and dreamed of becoming a cowboy.[1]
Career
McCreadie was employed by the Canadian National Railway for 42 years, retiring in 1985 as a car control supervisor.[1]
Community involvement
McCreadie was active in several community endeavours. Following the school's first director, Art Lark, he became director and head instructor of the White Falcon Ski School at Mount McKay.[1] He was one of the founders of the Thunder Bay Food Bank, which he initially ran by delivering food from the back of his truck before helping to expand it into the organization later housed on Miles Street.[1] A keen horseman, he was involved in local horse associations and organized many local horse shows, and worked with Dr. Widdop to lay the groundwork for the Therapeutic Riding Association.[1]
Personal life
On 14 May 1954, McCreadie married Marion Jones. The couple were married for 67 years and raised two daughters, Lorie (married to Bret, of White Rock, British Columbia) and Lynn (married to Dennis, of Kimberley, British Columbia). They had six grandchildren: Christine, Brodie, Liam, Connor, Spencer and Megan. In later life he moved to country living at Murillo, where he kept horses and supported his daughters' equestrian pursuits.[1]
Death
McCreadie died on 6 July 2021 at Murillo, surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Helen Rawluk, and his granddaughter Christine, and was survived by his wife Marion, his two daughters and their husbands, and five grandchildren.[1]