February 6, 1919 – June 7, 2015
Reg died peacefully in his home, which he shared with his loving wife of 18 years, Ingeborg. Beloved father of Andrea (John), Judy (Ken), Nick (Georgia) and Lisa (Jerome). Pre-deceased by his cherished wife of 49 years, Mary and son-in-law Jon. Proud grandfather of Shannon, Ashlyn, Cameron, Alexandra, Drew and Jacqueline, and great grandfather of Amy, Benjamin, Adam and Oliver.
Born in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England in 1919, Alumnus of Duke of York Military Academy and served as a Gunner in WWII. A plumber, member of UA Local 46, worked 14 years at Johnson Controls and 12 at Black and McDonald. A creative and talented artist-sculptor in a variety of media, he was also an autodidact, prankster, avid gardener, bird watcher, scrabble and cryptic crossword aficionado.
Reginald often said he was a lucky man. He was lucky to have survived in a number of close calls in WWII, including at the battle of Dunkirk. He felt lucky that his children were all people he was proud of and he was lucky to have found not one, but two great loves in his life. He started the mornings with a song and could be located around the house by following his whistle.
A private Celebration of Reg’s Life to take place. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to one of his causes: Canadian Institute for the Blind www.cnib.ca , War Amps www.waramps.ca , Salvation Army www.salvationarmy.ca or Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (Barrie, Ontario) www.rvh.on.ca .
Mary and Eldon Bruce
Posted on: Thursday, June 11, 2015We are sad for you, his family, in your loss of such a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. We met Reg. many years ago after Mary’s brother, John, married his daughter, Andrea and we have enjoyed his humour, kindness and sympathetic spirit over the years. We benefited enormously from his skilful work when he helped us with house renovations and we enjoyed his metal art and soapstone carvings.
He will be greatly missed by all of us. May you, his family, find peace from God over the coming months as you reconcile to life without him. We are pleased to donate to one of his favourite charities in memory of such a great man.
Mary and Eldon and the Bruce family in British Columbia