On July 11, 2018, our family lost a very special, caring, and loving Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa Bruce. Allan Richard Bruce has left to be with his loving wife Grace to spend the rest of eternity together.
Allan was born to William and Lillian Bruce on May 21, 1930 and was raised with his brothers and sisters in the family homer on Archibald Street.
At a young age, it was apparent that he had an interest in the trades, so he set out and received his Electricians Certificate at Ryerson. He started working at Mahon Electric and eventually obtained a job at Great Lakes Forest Products, where he was a master motor winder until retirement.
He married the love of his life Grace Emily Glenn on July 23, 1951 and raised two boys, Allan and Bill. He was a very loving and devoted father involved in every adventure the boys took on, be it hockey, cycling, ski-doing, or motorcycle riding. Dad was always there to fix the damaged equipment when unforeseen crashes put us on the sidelines. He was always calm, shaking his head in disbelief that we had survived another crash unscathed.
Later came his grandchildren; Vanessa, Trevor, Tamara, and Marissa who he loved greatly and enjoyed immensely, celebrating all of their birthdays, recitals, and sports activities. Allan was also blessed with a great-grandson, Reid, which brought a smile to his face at every visit.
Allan always kept busy working on projects; if he was building campers, it was wood working projects, welding, or creating beautiful stained glass pieces. He shared his stained glass pieces with family and friends and they will be lasting memories of his talents and creative nature. Allan could think outside the box, problem solving the repair of items or appliances otherwise destined for the landfill.
Allan was a quiet man enjoying the simple things in life, like ice cream and his cat Finnegan. Great comfort was provided by his dedicated feline companion as his health declined.
Predeceased by his parents William and Lillian, loving wife Grace (2002), brothers William, Gordon, and Archie; sister-in-law’s Viola, Doreen, Leona, Jean, and Stella; brother-in-law’s Walter, Michael, Freeman, and Leo.
Allan will be sadly missed but always in our hearts by his devoted sons Allan (Karen), Bill (Renata), his grandchildren Vanessa (Kris, Reid), Trevor, Tamara, and Marissa, Sisters Jean and Verna, nieces and nephews in Thunder Bay, Toronto, and Winnipeg.
Cremation has taken place and a private ceremony will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens at a later date. Dad will then be reunited with Mom to walk on the sandy beaches of Mexico once again.
At this time, we would like to thank all of Dad’s doctors, home care nurses, and support workers that allowed Dad to stay in his home as long as possible. Thank you to the compassionate care provided by the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and all his friends and neighbours who kept a watch over him.
Should you desire, donations can be made to our local Thunder Bay Humane Society or Paws for Love Rescue.
