We are saddened to share the passing of John “Dick” Dickson Crawford on August 8, 2024, at the age of 89. John attended Selwyn House from 1946 to 1949, serving as a prefect and literary editor of the yearbook in his final year. He was active in public speaking, reaching the finals in his graduating year, and participated in choir, soccer, hockey, and the debating club, earning recognition in several essay competitions. He went on to continue his education at Trinity College School in Port Hope, Ontario.

In 1982, the family moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, when Dick became President and CEO of Maritime Life. His tenure was marked by professional success, community leadership, and world travel. Known for his integrity, sincerity, and collaborative leadership, he guided the company to continued growth. After retiring in 1995, he joined the Board of Maritime Life and eventually served as Chairman.

Please find his official obituary below.

We extend our deepest sympathies to John’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

With great sadness the family of J. Dickson “Dick” Crawford, 89, of Mahone Bay, NS,

announce his passing on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital,

Lunenburg.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Rosemary, their children Jill Nelson of

Toronto, David (Barbara) of Kelowna BC, and Robert of Lunenburg, and sister Susan

Speke of Toronto. He loved and was so proud of all his grandchildren, Meredith &

Jennie Nelson, Erin & Jasmine Crawford, and nieces.

He was predeceased by his parents Toby and Hazel Crawford, son-in-law Reed Nelson,

and brother-in-law Nick Speke.

Dick was raised in Montreal and Toronto, attending Selwyn House and Trinity College

School. He met the love of his life, Rosemary, at the University of Toronto where he graduated

from Trinity College with a BA Hons in Mathematics. Rosemary and Dick married in 1957 and

Dick qualified as an Actuary while working at Excelsior Life. Twenty two years with North

American Life followed, as they raised their children in Toronto, with great times spent at

“the Cabin” near Mansfield ON, maintaining the 50 acre property, gardening, hosting friends,

swimming, skiing, and fiercely competing in games nights.

In 1982, the family moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia when Dick became president and

chief executive officer of Maritime Life. This was a time filled with professional success,

community leadership, and world travels. With a steady hand on the helm, he guided

the company from strength to strength. He was a persuasive, articulate speaker and

was appreciated for his integrity, sincerity, and truly collaborative leadership style. After

his retirement in 1995 he joined the Board of Maritime Life, eventually serving as

Chairman.

Dick worked tirelessly to strengthen not only the insurance industry, but broader society.

He served as President of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries; Campaign Chair of the

United Way in Halifax; a Governor of Dalhousie University; a Director of the Halifax

Airport Authority, and a member of the Nova Scotia Pension Review Panel of 2007 to

2009.

Dick had a quirky sense of fun and a strong competitive drive. This combination led to

some unusual games, one of them particularly memorable. At the cabin in Ontario, he

tried growing giant pumpkins. His hero was Howard Dill, the Windsor NS man who held

the record for growing the largest giant pumpkin. When Dick had moved to NS himself,

and was president of the CIA, he conceived of a competition between actuaries to grow

the largest pumpkin. He sent them seeds, and set the annual conference as the competition

venue. Rosemary still remembers how hilarious it was to see actuaries from across the country

arriving at the conference hotel with their large pumpkin entries!

A deeply satisfying period of Dick and Rosemary’s life began when they decided to build

a retirement home in the hills overlooking Mahone Bay. Not ready to slow down, Dick

threw himself into local efforts, including a campaign to save and refurbish the Mahone

Bay Centre as well as using his financial acumen as a volunteer. He was an active

volunteer with Helping Hands and Junior Achievement. He and Rosemary read to the

residents at the Mahone Bay Nursing Home weekly, working their way several times

through the entire series of books by Jan Karon. He enjoyed golf and curling, as well as

music and travel with Rosemary. He enjoyed his grandchildren who fondly remember

his enthusiasm, mischievous sense of humour, and generosity.

In his later years, Dick developed Alzheimer’s. The family thanks all those whose

kindness made these past few difficult years easier for Rosemary, including her many

friends; neighbours Lokman Abdullah & Jocelyn Brown and Deb Hawkes & Rob Inness;

Nikki Tanner Murphy, and the amazing staff and volunteers at the Veterans Unit at

Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital.