Joseph Emerson Bruce Carr passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 27, 2004 at G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital with his loving wife Bonny at his side.
Bruce fought, with every ounce of strength, courage and great faith his last battle against lymphoma cancer. He lived the last three months of his life on a roller coaster ride our of control, between ICU and Chemotherapy in Vernon, Prince George and Quesnel hospitals.
Bruce’s life began in St. Thomas, Ontario, August 29, 1940. He was the eldest of 4 children. (Bruce always stood out from the crowd, starting grade 1 at 5 feet tall and 100 pounds.) In his youth he worked as a farm labourer, gas station attendant, landscaper, construction worker, civilian truck driver for the army militia at the Ipperwash Army base and school teacher. His father worked for the railroad, so the family moved many ties, but settled in Glencoe, Ontario, where Bruce spent his high school years, playing football, basketball and was part of the glee club. He was very involved with his church, and was the president of the Glencoe St. John’s Anglican Young People’s Assn., and the first youth member of the church council. He was a founding member of the Glencoe Teen Town dances.
Bruce first moved west in 1966, when he started his successful career with Stedman’s. He married Margaret Roberts in 1968. Bruce and Margaret had two children together, Stephen in 1973 and Jennifer in 1974. He worked as the district manager for Stedman’s for many years before buying his own stores in Valemont, Smithers and finally settling in Quesnel in 1986.
Later, he hired on with West Central Pipe, where he enjoyed many years, from where he was about to retire when he became ill this past fall.
Bruce was a happy, gentle, kind, honest, hard working and loving man. Bruce was admired and loved for his humility, friendliness, spirit and his humanity. Some of the happiest times of his life were spent reading to his granddaughter Karlee and bouncing his baby granddaughter Mackenzie on his knee. He loved life in the Cariboo, especially Barkerville, the farmer’s market and his home in the woods. „With a second chance at love late in life, to Bonny, he appreciated every day as a gift from God. He enjoyed traveling and working in his garden. His church was an integral part of his life. His great love within the church was the Cursillo Movement. He will be missed by many.
Bruce is survived by his wife Bonny, son Stephen (Heather), daughter Jennifer Zaruk (Dan), grandchildren, stepsons David (Vickie) Sugden, Michael (Kathy) Sugden, brother Douglas (Helen), sisters, Elizabeth Soros, Margaret Sequin, step grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends and first wife Margaret Cossar. Bruce was predeceased by his nephew Rick Novak and parents Margaret and Emmerson Carr.
A service was held at St. John’s the Divine Anglican Church in Quesnel on June 1, 2004 with Rev. Canon Trev Whiting and Rev. Margot Rose officiating. Musicians were Anna Allan, Sheila Murland and Shawn Smith. The eulogy was presented by Peter Walsh with tributes from Chuck Kalnin, Colin Keis and Margot Rose. Scripture reading was by Jane Booth. Bruce was piped our of the church by piper Bryan Rodger and drummer Alain Payette playing Amazing Grace. Burial and grave side service took place on June 11, 2004 in the family plot in Iona Station, near Glencoe Ontario with wife Bonny, sister Elizabeth, brother-in-law Gerry Vickers and Ontario friends and relatives in attendance. Officiating was by Rev. Christine Crawford and Rev. George Hamilton.