Cedric Gillott

Cedric Gillott
March 7, 1940 - September 12, 2026

Cedric passed away on Sunday, September 12 at the age of 86.

He is survived by Anne, his wife of 62 years; son Stewart (Sherren); daughter Carol (Don) and son Neil (Gaylene); grandsons Mathew (Erin), Connor (Katie) and Jordan and sister-in-law Carolyn Osborne (Ken) in Letchworth Garden City, UK.

Cedric was born in Sheffield, England, the only son of Doris and Frank Gillott. He attended Ecclesfield Infant and Junior School and King Edward VII Grammar School.

He earned a BSc (1962), PhD (1965) and DSc (1990) all from the Zoology Department, University of Nottingham, England, before joining the Biology Department at the University of Saskatchewan as an assistant professor in 1965. He was named full professor in 1975. He published over 100 scientific papers and reviews, along with magazine articles on insects and gardening. His undergraduate text book ENTOMOLOGY was published in 1980 with a third edition coming in 2005. Throughout his career he was an active member of several national and international entomological organisations. He was editor of the Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Canada (ESC) from 2010 to 2022. His many honours include the Gold Medal, ESC, 2007 and Honorary Member, ESC, 2016.

His lifelong love of "football" at school and university in England continued after his move to Saskatoon where he became part of the "soccer" community.

As a player he was with Saskatoon Spartans on the provincial championship team in 1966, the Saskatchewan All-Stars in the same season and captained Saskatoon City who won the provincial title in 1968. He continued to play the game for almost another three decades, both outdoors and indoors. He was a long-time member of the Silver Foxes, who won the Third Division Indoor Championships on several occasions.

He coached the U of S Huskie men's soccer team for eight seasons between 1968 and 1978 and was responsible for Canada West Soccer moving from a weekend tournament to regular league play.

Cedric also coached youth teams, notably the provincial boys Under-16 (later Under-15) All-Star teams between 1981 and 1991 (including Canadian Bronze Medalists in 1983) and provincial champion club teams (Brunskill, 1981, 1983; Express, 1985; Titans 1985). He coached the Saskatchewan Men's team at the 1977 Canada Games and was assistant coach of the men's team in the 1993 Canada Games.

In 1987 he was awarded the David Newsham Volunteer Award and in 1988 the Saskatchewan Volunteer recognition Award. In 2011 he was inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in the builder category.

For 57 years Cedric and family enjoyed life on an acreage in Grasswood. Gardening, bee keeping, a poultry flock, plus an aviary of exotic Australian parakeets would seem to leave little time for hobbies. However, as a member of the Saskatoon Retriever Club Cedric trained a succession of Labradors. He was a member of the Riverside Badminton and Tennis Club for many years and until 2024 regularly swam a kilometer three times a week at Harry Bailey or the Shaw Centre.

Home brewing was another passion with a prize winning cider made from local apples his forté.

Cedric and Anne enjoyed foreign travel, first in conjunction with his university work (conferences and two sabbaticals in both the UK and Australia) and after retirement a warm beach holiday in January or February. The highlight, as for any zoologist, was a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos in 2012.

In April 2025, a move to the Village at Crossmount started a new chapter producing many new friends and experiences.

There will be no funeral. A gathering of family and friends to remember Cedric will take place later in the year.

In lieu of flowers donations could be made to the War Amps or CNIB guide dog programme.

To share condolences and stories with the family please visit www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home.