Our beloved husband, father, and papa passed away on August 8, 2024, with his family by his side. Bruce was courageous in his 5-year battle with Multiple Myeloma, always cheerful and never complaining.
Bruce was born on May 23, 1944, in Minnedosa, Manitoba. Growing up on a farm gave him meaningful insight into hard work and appreciation of the basics in life, allowing him to remain humble and quick to say, "I'm just a little boy from the farm."
Mourning his passing are his wife Judy; children Carla, Liam, and Kimberly (Declan); grandchildren Kyle, Anna, Conor, and Demi; and his granddoggies Leo and Buddy. Also grieving are his sister Jean Horwood, sister-in-law Linda Young and numerous nieces and nephews who he adored and who, in turn, adored him. He was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Agnes Young, and his brother, Don Young.
Bruce graduated from Brandon University with a BSC and then completed a program to become a meteorologist. He was posted to Cold Lake, AB, and it was there that he met and married Judy. In 1967, they moved to Winnipeg, and Bruce articled with Peat Marwick Mitchell, receiving the designation of Chartered Accountant in 1972. It was in Winnipeg that Bruce and Judy welcomed three beautiful children into their lives. Immediately after becoming a CA, Bruce worked in Nassau, Bahamas - for three years, a wonderful experience for the family. They then moved to Toronto, where Bruce went on to specialize in tax accounting.
In 1980, the family moved to Vancouver, BC. After several years as a tax specialist, Bruce embarked on a new career as a self-employed business owner, purchasing Edmonds and Y Franks appliance stores with his longtime friend, Barry Gunn.
Bruce's achievements and amazing attributes cannot be adequately summarized in so few words. He had an incredible sense of humour, with nicknames for everyone and everything, including his vehicles. Bruce was an extraordinary handyman, always tinkering in his workshop and creating new projects. He treasured family gatherings and get-togethers with friends. His legacy for his children and grandchildren: work hard, be financially responsible, and be happy.
Bruce was very loyal and had many long-lasting friendships, including his boyhood and university friends, colleagues at Cold Lake, and friends from Winnipeg, Nassau, Toronto, Vancouver, and Palm Desert. Bruce was a student of golf and could never figure out why his game didn't improve after purchasing numerous books and videos. Bruce was a member of Capilano Golf Course and Palm Desert Resort Country Club, where he and Judy lived six months of the year, developing very close friendships in their "happy place." Bruce was dedicated to Canadian war veterans and, for many years, was a treasurer for the Royal Canadian Legion in West Vancouver. It was over cold beers that he developed meaningful friendships at the RCL. For family and friends, it will be impossible to forget Bruce when he has given us so much to remember him by. He was truly one of a kind.
The family is extremely grateful for the care of Dr. Ramadan at St. Paul's Hospital; at Sechelt Hospital - Dr. Hourigan and Dr. Baxter, the Ambulatory Care nurses, the 2-South nurses and the Care Aids who cared for him and his family with such compassion. Donations in Bruce's memory can be made to PADS (Pacific Assistance Dog Society)
At his request, no formal service will be held. Bruce's ashes will be taken to Minnedosa at a later date.
