BRUCE DALTON CURTIS
July 26, 1928 – September 19, 2020
Peacefully in his 93rd year, Bruce, much loved husband of Peggy (2017) his wife, partner, and best friend of 67 years.
Cherished and respected Father and Grandfather to Robert & Janet, their children, Ross, Kate (Zane) & John (Kelsie); David (2019) & Alex, their children Rachel (Martin), Bruce (Shannon) and Georgia (Tim); Catherine, and her children James (Tay) & Kellie Anderson; LeeAnne, and her children Kyle & Leah Wells. Great-Grandfather to Keenan, Bella, Tesla, Bobby, and Grace. Fondly remembered by Jim Madden and Larry Wells.
Predeceased by his parents Ross and Emma (nee Bruce) Curtis and a grandson, David. Survived by his brother Donald (Martha) Curtis and sister Helen (Mo) Cox.
A private family service and burial will be held on Friday, September 25, 2020. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when the COVID environment permits a celebration befitting an incredible man who touched the lives of so many. Friends and family may share their memories of Bruce at bit.ly/BruceDaltonCurtis as a way to connect with one another until we can be together to celebrate his life.
If desired, donations to the Southlake Regional Cancer Centre or the Alzheimer Society of Ontario were Dads preference.
After teaching school for a short time in Hamilton, Bruce moved back to Orillia and tried a variety of occupations – soft drink sales, real estate, insurance sales and eventually owned a convenience store for a few years. In January 1955, Bruce joined Kraft Foods where he enjoyed a 34-year career, made lifelong friends, and mentored so many of today’s foodservice leaders. Upon his retirement Bruce became Executive Director of Friends of We Care Inc. elevating the awareness and fundraising success of the organization to new heights. His passion for the mission fueled him and engaged him in a non-profit career that would shape his volunteer efforts moving forward. Upon retirement from We Care, Bruce was the recipient of their Gary Wright Humanitarian Award and a scholarship program was established in his name. Bruce went on to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity York Region, was a founding member of the Sutton Lions Club and of course, his proudest achievement, was raising funds for Kyle’s Fight a fund to support research for neuroblastoma.
Bruce lived his values through to his very last breath and taught us all so much. He was a champion for family love and connection, taught us the importance of community, exemplified patience, grace and wisdom in all his interactions, challenged us to take risks and accept that sometimes we will fail but there is always a lesson in that, modelled how to give back and pay it forward, encouraged us all to ask the hard questions and believed that diversity and inclusion is what unites us and moves humanity forward. Quite simply, Bruce believed in Love… of family, of friends, of community, of humanity.
We will remember him for his knee socks, fuzzy zebra blanket, love of music, 80’s sweaters, suspenders, late life passion for cooking and baking, and the exceptional care he provided our Mom.
We will miss his love, wisdom, empathy, wit, storytelling, pure soul, and beautiful voice. Simply put… he will be deeply missed.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bruce Curtis Saturday September 19th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Richmond-Hill, Province: Ontario