In Celebration of

Bruce Harvey Gilbert

January 1, 1935 -  August 10, 2025


Bruce Harvey Gilbert, New Year’s Baby born January 1, 1935 passed away on August 10, 2025. Bruce was born in Toronto and was a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather.

The last surviving sibling of his family, Bruce was predeceased by his brother Don and sisters Dianne and Susan. Bruce was married in 1955 for over 40 years to Sheila (d. 1997) and then was blessed to find love a second time with his devoted wife Audrey and they were married for over 26 years until the time of his passing. Bruce was a great dad to his two sons: Devin, and Craig (wife Debbie), loving grandpa to Taylor, Rachel and Cayleigh and considered like a big brother to his cousin Betty. Bruce will also be fondly remembered by extended family and friends as a man of great integrity and kindness.

Bruce had a flourishing business life in executive management at Massey Ferguson, Lennox, Inglis, and Wallace Barnes. Never one to sit still for long, he went on to use his business instincts and skills to share them with businesses through a “post-retirement” career with Seneca College.

Bruce loved the outdoors, was very handy and he loved working on things in his yard and workshop -- always willing to lend a hand to fix anything for friends and family alike. A cottage on Paudash Lake in the 70s gave him a passion for sailing and being on open water, so he decided to purchase a sailboat and enjoyed many years as a member at Etobicoke Yacht Club, eventually serving as a Commodore. He loved tennis and in winter loved to downhill ski and was a longstanding member of Caledon Ski Club.

In more recent years, Bruce remained extremely active and enjoyed painting and sketching, and he and Audrey enjoyed dancing regularly at the Westway Club and travelling the world with friends. One of his most memorable dance moves was The Twist, and he had it down pat!

Bruce was well loved, and loved well. He will be missed greatly by all who were fortunate enough to know him!

Guestbook 

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Peter Preston (Nephew)

Entered August 14, 2025 from California

Favorite uncle from my years growing up and being able to join him in all the activities he enjoyed; skiing, sailing and summer days at the cottage . With passing of Uncle Bruce it is the end of an era for the Preston family and my heart is greatly saddened!

Joe Luongo (Friend /accountant)

Entered August 14, 2025 from Woodbridge

A dear gentleman and a man of great integrity
Will be sadly missed.
Rest in peace my dear friend

Tom Preston (Nephew)

Entered August 14, 2025 from Grand Junction, CO

A life well lived and one better for those who were part of it

Don Gilbert Jr. (My uncle.)

Entered August 15, 2025 from Athens, Greece

Condolences to the family.

tina forth (Niece)

Entered August 17, 2025 from Toronto

I was one of the fortunate nieces who spent a lot of time my youth and teens with our families together for various celebrations. Once I had moved out, he was always joyful when I visited and always helpful when he saw he could make a difference for me and for others in his family. He was naturally the one to give me away at my wedding as my Dad had passed the year before. He certainly didn't age over the years and I was impressed at all the things he had learned from getting his motorcycle after retirement, to rollerblading, there was nothing he wouldn't try no matter his age. Uncle Bruce was a great example of how to live out your golden years. I'm happy that life had turned out so well for him but sad how it ended. He certainly wouldn't have gone out without a fight. I will remember him with a smile.

Photos 

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