Obituary of Dale E. Creighton

Dale Edward Creighton passed away peacefully at Highview Residences on Monday, January 16, 2017, surrounded by family at the age of 82 after a full and happy life of family, friends, business and philanthropy. Beloved husband of 60 years to Marion (née Thompson). Dearest father to Matthew Dale (Meaghan), Paul Lawrence (Kelly) and Lyndsey Lee Mitchinson and grandfather to Katharine Elizabeth, Sarah Elizabeth and Rachel Lynn Creighton; and Arielle Alexandria and Madison Brianne Mitchinson. Born in London, Ontario on June 12, 1934 to Bert and Louise (Hope) Creighton, Dale was a gifted athlete in basketball, baseball and football. In basketball, Dale was a team member of four City Championship teams; captained three and was a two-time All-Star and led the league twice in scoring. In baseball, Dale played first base, catcher, and outfield, and was a member of six Ontario Championship teams, including the London Majors and earned a try-out with the Pittsburgh Pirates. During Dale’s football career at Central Collegiate High School, he played on 4 Conference Championship teams, 2 WOSSA Championship teams and was a three time all conference scoring leader. Dale’s love for football continued at the University of Western Ontario where he was a standout fullback with the Mustangs in 1954, 1955 and in 1957 when the Mustangs went undefeated to win the Yates Cup. Dale was twice named an Ontario University Athletics All-Star with the Mustangs and ORFU All-Star and MVP when he played with the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen. Dale signed a professional contract with the Montreal Alouettes and retired from sports in 1959. Dale’s life-long devotion to all things ‘Mustang’ continued off the field after his playing career. In the 1980s, he assumed the role of presidency of Western’s W Club and oversaw many fund-raising projects for athletics, including the refurbishing of J.W. Little Memorial Stadium in 1983. Dale was involved again in 2000 to help raise funds for the development of the new TD Waterhouse Stadium. In recognition for all his contributions to Western athletics and football, in particular, Dale was inducted into the Western’s W Club Sports Hall of Fame and Western Mustang Football Wall of Champions. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario in 1959, Dale joined London Life as a Group Sales representative. Dale held numerous positions of increasing responsibilities and, in 1989, was promoted to Executive Vice President, Operations. In April of 1992, Dale was elected to the Board of Directors of London Life Insurance Company and the London Insurance Group and was named Deputy Chairman in 1994. Dale also served as a Board Member of Pacific Western Credit (Versabank), the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA), LIMRA Agency Officers Round Table, London YMCA-YWCA, and the London Branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association. As significant as these achievements were, Dale's first and foremost love was for his family. He adored his high school sweetheart, Marion, and she was his confidante, a most trusted partner and, in the end, his voice and protector. Dale was proud of each of his children and what they have, in turn, accomplished in their lives and communities. Dale also watched his grandchildren become involved in their schools and communities through sports, as well as succeed academically, and was encouraged to know his philanthropic community involvement will continue into the next generation! Dale’s death is a tremendous loss for us all; however his legacy of education, athletics, family, friendship and hard work will continue on as strong core values he introduced to his family and others. Dale will be sorely missed by his family and friends but forever in their hearts and memories. The Creighton family would like to extend particular thanks to Dr. Andrew Kertesz, Darlyne Morlog, and Dr. Elizabeth Finger of the Cognitive Neurology Department at St. Joseph's Hospital, as well as Angie at Strathmere Lodge and all the staff at Highview Residences who provided comfort and caring to both Dale and his family. In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully received in Dale’s memory at Western University Athletics or Western University’s “Department of Clinical Neurological Services - Dr. Elizabeth Finger – FTD Research”. A private family funeral was recently conducted. A Celebration of Dale’s Life will be held at the London Hunt and Country Club, 1431 Oxford Street West, London on Saturday, January 28th, 2017 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.