Obituary
CROMARTY, Ernest Alvin (Al), OAA (Retired), FRAIC
Al was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and a dedicated Architect who passed away in Burlington, Ontario, on April 16, 2022, in his 95th year.
Al’s kind nature, warm smile and quick wit will be greatly missed by loving wife Janice, stepsons Brent Card, his wife Stephanie and grandson Oliver of Waterdown, ON. and Craig, his wife Nadia and granddaughters Ariya and Cece of Niagara Falls, ON. He was predeceased by daughter Donna Lynne and sister Vera.
Al was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on February 29, 1928, to the late Archibald Cromarty and Mildred Atkinson. Being a leap year baby, we always had an extra special celebration every four years when his actual birthday came around, with the most recent being his “23rd” birthday in 2020 which he celebrated in style in Niagara Falls with his family.
Al graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Architecture in 1950 and soon after became a Project Manager with John B. Parkin and Associates in Toronto, Ontario. In 1955, he joined Drever and Smith in Kingston, Ontario where he partnered in 1966 and then opened his own practice, Ernest A. Cromarty Architect Inc., in 1968 until his retirement in 2019. In 2006, Al became a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
Al’s devotion to architecture, his outstanding contributions to his profession through the built environment of the Greater Kingston Area as well as many projects throughout Eastern and Central Ontario have been honoured by the City of Kingston, the Provincial and Federal Governments and the St. Lawrence Valley Society of Architects.
He contributed to a diverse catalogue of building types for a broad range of clients. Al’s guiding principle in architecture was: “Nature does not make square corners, it creates curves. I follow nature.” This philosophy was evident in the unique curved walls seen in many of his innovative designs.
Al’s respect for the designers, artisans and craftsmen who created our history was a driving force in his dedication to historic preservation. His contribution to the conservation and longevity of our heritage community was honoured with several awards from the Frontenac Heritage Foundation. If you were to take a short drive through Kingston, you would see many examples of his designs and restorations, and we know his legacy will live on for generations to come.
Al loved jazz, golf, martinis, crosswords, the poetry of Ogden Nash and fine cigars. He was a 65-year member and past president of the Cataraqui Golf and Country Club and scored four holes-in-one during that time. He was an accomplished basketball player with the University of Manitoba Bisons and a competitive curler. Al was a great supporter of the local Kingston jazz community for decades and always enjoyed taking in live music. He was also a collector of memorabilia including golf score cards from every course he ever played including several rounds at his all-time favourite St. Andrews in Scotland. He also collected stamps, coins and matchbook covers from around the world. An avid sports fan, Al loved to watch golf, basketball, hockey and baseball with his family.
Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will be held at Cataraqui Cemetery. A celebration of Al’s life will be held at the Cataraqui Golf and Country Club- a place very dear to his heart – at a future date.
Donations in Al’s memory may be made to University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, Heart and Stroke or a charity of your choice.
In honour of Al, please have a toast to him with a Bombay Sapphire martini, very dry with a twist of lemon, on the rocks (two to be exact) and (as he always requested) in a martini glass. Here’s to you Al, you are greatly missed.
Please take a moment to sign the Tribute Wall.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ernest Alvin Al Cromarty March 1 1928
April 16 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Waterdown, Province: Ontario
death notice Ernest Alvin Al Cromarty March 1 1928
April 16 2022
mortuary notice Ernest Alvin Al Cromarty March 1 1928
April 16 2022
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