Bruce died at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto on November 19, 2018 at the age of 81 following a short illness, surrounded by his loving family.
Bruce was the son of George and Laura Wells. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Dorothy “Dot” (Bell). He was the proud father of Tom (Janet McRae) of London, England and Kelly (Dave Couper) of Toronto. Devoted Grandpa to six wonderful grandchildren Nick, Kyra and Steven Wells; and Kate, Jill and Jonny Armstrong. Loving brother of Barbara Hawkins of Land O’ Lakes, Florida and uncle to Scott Hawkins of West Palm Beach, Florida and Susan Milani of Los Angeles California.
Bruce was a graduate of Trinity College School Port Hope, class of ’56, The University of Western Ontario and of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He specialized in Human Resources management and was Director of Personnel for the national accounting firm Thorne Riddell (now KPMG) for many years. Before that, he was the Assistant Dean of Men at the University of Western Ontario and Dean of Men at the University of Calgary. For the last 16 years before retirement, Bruce was the Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).
Retired since January 2000, Bruce’s summers were spent enjoying quality time with his growing family at his beloved cottage ‘Sometime’ on Stony Lake. Other favourite pastimes were travels with Dot; reading his weekly Economist and daily newspaper on his ipad; attending exercise classes; and enjoying family dinners. He especially enjoyed his frequent walks in High Park with Dot followed by together time over lunch at the High Park Cafe.
Bruce’s family would like to acknowledge the expert care which he received from the paramedics and the Cardiac Intensive Care and Palliative Care Units at St. Michael’s Hospital.
A Celebration of Life for friends and family will be held in the Balmoral Room at The Old Mill, 21 Old Mill Rd in Etobicoke from 2:30 to 5, with tributes and remembrances at 3:30, on Saturday December 1, 2018. In memory of Bruce please consider a donation to the The Stony Lake Heritage Foundation (Online – www.canadahelps.org or by mailing a cheque to the Foundation at Suite 1107, 225 Merton St., Toronto, M4S 3H1) or the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at St. Michael’s Hospital (www.stmichaelsfoundation.com/ways-to-give/donate.html). Arrangements have been entrusted to the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 416-767-3153.