Cynthia Margaret “Cindy” Cherry, the daughter of the long-time Hockey Night in Canada host Don Cherry, has passed away at the age of 67. Her death, which occurred on July 15, was described as “unexpected” in an obituary posted by Turner and Porter Funeral Directors.
Cindy Cherry was Don Cherry’s oldest child and only daughter. The obituary reflects the love and loss felt by her family, stating, “She was dearly loved by her son Del (Caroline Lyczek), and his father Roger. Much loved daughter of Don and the late Rose. Dear sister of Tim (Ling), and aunt of Grace.”
In remembrance of Cindy’s life and her dedication to animal welfare, the family has requested that donations be made to Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation, an organization she helped to found and remained deeply involved with throughout her life. A blog post by Cindy on the foundation’s website highlights her commitment: “My goal in life, is to do for Animals Issues what he does for hockey.”
Cindy’s compassion and dedication to helping others were evident from an early age. Just after graduating from college, she donated a kidney to her brother Tim, demonstrating her selfless nature. “I had the opportunity to help Tim get his health back on track and let me tell you, if there was anything I could do to help him, no questions asked, I was going to do it,” Cindy said.
Her career was equally committed to making a difference. Cindy worked with The Kidney Foundation of Canada for more than a decade, as noted on her LinkedIn profile. Her professional and personal efforts consistently reflected her passion for health and welfare causes.
Don Cherry, a prominent figure in hockey, is widely recognized as the longtime host of Coach’s Corner on Hockey Night in Canada, a position he held for nearly 40 years. He was let go by Sportsnet following controversial comments made on air. Before his television career, Don Cherry was an NHL head coach, leading the Boston Bruins to two Stanley Cup Finals, where they were defeated by the Montreal Canadiens both times.
Cindy Cherry’s passing is a profound loss to those who knew her and appreciated her contributions both within and beyond the hockey community. Her legacy of compassion, service, and dedication to causes close to her heart will continue to be remembered and honored.
