John Fraser George Bruce

On March 26, 2021 at Portage General Hospital, John Fraser George Bruce, aged 79 years, passed away peacefully. He was always in his life assured that he would be going home for eternity to be with his Lord and heavenly family.  “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)

Jack was predeceased by his mother, Emily Bruce (Dupuis) and her siblings Marjory Empey, Fraser Dupuis, and Jean Dupuis. Family was very important to Jack and right up until his death, Jack continued to keep up contact with the families of his late cousins in Ontario : Jean Sutherland, Frank Dupuis, and Ernie Dupuis. Left to mourn his passing on his mother’s side are his cousins Gary Empey (Scanterbury, MB.) and Mary McKee (Winnipeg, MB.) along with their families.
Jack was predeceased by his father, George Mathew Bruce in 1984. Jack will be fondly remembered by his cousins Bruce Smirl (Morden), Carol Ann Coish (Smirl) (Winnipeg) and Robert Bruce (Mayne Island BC)  and their families. His other cousin, Marilyn Dunham (Smirl) passed away in 2006.

Jack was born at the Portage General Hospital Oct.9. 1941 to George Bruce & Emily (Dupuis) Bruce. HIs early years involved education at Berton School in Helston, farm chores and activities with his three cousins with whom he shared a yard site. At school, Jack loved baseball and always played on the school team when we played other schools. He really enjoyed holiday and birthday celebrations with our families.  (Later, when Jack was alone, he never forgot birthday cards for his cousins). Winter involved skating, hockey and home made curling (clearing off the ice & making curling rocks) on the farm dugout. Summer was gardening, cycling, and sometimes swimming & fishing in the Whitemud River.

After Jack’s cousins left his farm, he continued to live with his parents and farm with his father. His mother passed away in !976. This was a very difficult time for Jack as he was an only child and very close to his mother. After his father passed away in 1984, Jack continued running the farm by himself.
He was the 3rd generation on the home farm and was very proud to be able to continue the tradition of farming his grandfather’s land. He and Granddad Bruce had a very special relationship.  He enjoyed life in the country - the freedom and independence of farm life. He liked handling farm equipment , especially tractors of which he was very knowledgeable.

In 1989, Jack sold the home farm and moved to an acreage near Portage la Prairie where he started a hobby farm. He enjoyed haying, yard work and growing a marvellous garden from which he supplied produce to extended family and friends. Jack really valued his rural independence and though deteriorating health made it difficult, his wishes to remain on his farm were fulfilled by way of support from dedicated neighbours, friends, health care providers, family, medical staff in Portage, and his church community.
Although farm life could be lonely, Jack always maintained and built contacts in the community. His regular visits to Gladstone (often visiting friends in the Care Home ) to Austin, McGregor and other areas and his telephone contacts supported many people who otherwise might not have much contact. His commitment to his church, including distributing VIA material was a very important part of his life. Jack was a very kind, thoughtful, private person - quick to forgive anyone who wronged him and never held a grudge.

We will miss you Jack - those regular phone calls to “catch up” and sharing stories of “growing up” together. We appreciate how you enriched our lives and we know that you will be making many new friends in Heaven.

Funeral service is being held (according to Covid restrictions) Friday, April 2 at River Road Gospel Hall in Portage la Prairie at 1pm.  Viewing will take place prior to the service from 10:30 am to 12:30pm.  Interment to follow in the Gladstone Cemetery.

Live streaming of the funeral will be made available at 12:55pm on Friday April 2, 2021. by clicking on the blue box where it says to view video tribute

Flowers are gratefully declined.

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