Shillingford had been ailing for some time with cancer and succumbed to the illness earlier Wednesday morning in Salisbury, located on the island’s west coast. Given the Sisserou Award of Honour early last month at the 2009 Independence celebrations for his exploits on the cricket field, Shillingford had just returned to Dominica a month ago from his adopted homeland of Canada where he had been receiving treatment.
The fast bowler played seven Test matches for the West Indies between 1969 and 1972. He took 15 wickets at an average of 35.80, with his best returns being three for 63 off 26.5 overs against New Zealand at Sabina Park in Kingston in February 1972.
Shillingford played domestic cricket for Dominica, the Combined Islands and Windward Islands until the 1978-79 season.
During his 77 first-class matches played, he took 217 wickets at an average of 26.54, with best returns of six for 49 against Trinidad & Tobago in St Kitts.
Shillingford played 33 Shell Shield (first-class) matches between 1969 and 1979, taking 98 wickets at an average of 26.20 each.
