Bruce Joseph McNenly
Staff Sgt. (retired)
A wonderful reunion took place as Bruce Joseph McNenly reunited with the love of his life, Laura Monica, in heaven on Friday, October 1st. Back in each other’s arms, dancing to a Don Messer tune was no doubt involved before taking a break to watch the Blue Jays game together from front row seats!. At the age of 88, Dad passed away peacefully and unexpectedly in Sydney Forks in the home that he built and shared with so many friends and family over the years. The door was always open and memories immediately go to family meals, Crown Royal, fiddle tunes, hours of card playing – unless he was in the shop building and a love shared between parents like no other.
Bruce was born in Ontario, son of Michael Joseph and Katherine (Munro)and is survived by his brother, Bob (Mary) of Lindsay, Ontario and predeceased by his sister, Julia. We know Dad’s only regret would be that he left behind his four loving children: Stephen (Maria MacDonald) and Kelly(Sydney Forks), Janice (Danny Gray, Halifax) and Jennifer (Billy Dwyer, Sydney River). Confined to the house due to mobility issues the past few years, he loved hearing the stories of all the happenings that were going on through us, his children. He was surrounded by us constantly as he ordered up his favourite meals, got us to turn on his tunes or just enjoyed having us around. Sharp as a tack right up to the end, Dad was still overseeing projects, checking his accounts, rounding up the crew for woodchuck and reminding us to turn out the lights.
Although born in Ontario, Cape Breton was truly Dad’s home. At the age of 21, he faced the decision of staying to farm in Ontario or heading west to join the RCMP. He never once regretted the decision he made and retired from the force after almost 40 years from a career that he was so proud to serve. He was stationed in 10 different postings from one end of the province to the other covering places from Ingonish to Shelburne, always with the hope of coming back to Cape Breton which he did, retiring as Sub Division NCO in Sydney in 1993. The family never did get to avoid his farming desires as he involved us in growing strawberries, raspberries and rhubarb for half the island. Besides his love of the RCMP and being a gentleman farmer, Dad was a top notch carpenter who spent the evening hours working in the shop building furniture, cabinets or doing ongoing renovations to our homes.
Dad will be forever missed by all those who knew him and forever remembered for his kindnesses, his tireless and unwavering work ethic and his love of family. He showed us such a good example of how to love life in simple ways, to accept what you are given and to give back more than you take. Dad always loved the closeness of our family that remains today. While our hearts are broken, we choose to focus on the exceptional examples of humanity and love that we were blessed to know through our parents. Rest in peace, Dad…your work is done.
Wake will be held at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, October 5th from4-7pm with funeral mass at Our Lady of Fatima church on Wednesday, Oct.6th at11:00 am. All are welcome to join our family. (Please note that COVID vaccination confirmation will be required for both as per provincial regulations). The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the Sydney Memorial Chapel Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you contribute to others in need through an act of kindness or charitable donation.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bruce Joseph McNenly 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia