BRUCE FORBES

January 7, 1953 - December 21, 2024
His family is devastated to announce that Bruce Forbes left us suddenly on December 21, 2024 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Bruce was a jack of all trades with many special interests that he enjoyed sharing with his friends and family.

Born and raised on Syndicate Ave by his Mother Betty Forbes, a Dutch War Bride. Bruce grew up with his siblings Brenda, Brian, Blaine, Barbara, Bonita, Barry, and Brent.

He spent 40 years as a Postal Clerk. His co-workers at the Thunder Bay Sorting Plant remember him as dedicated, kind, and a great person to learn from.

He had a strong work ethic that he applied to his hobbies that kept him active too: He earned a Black Belt in Akido with Grandmaster Soengkono. Laid down thousands of miles on his bikes, and even more Nordic Skiing and Kayaking.

There was no weather bad enough that Bruce's well-researched technical outerwear couldn't handle. A change in conditions would just mean a new activity, a better jacket, and slightly more muddy or snowy dogs.

Bruce's dogs were his pride and joy. Nikki, a Belgian Teruvian, was his sidekick for years. More recently Nico, Kayla, Brooklyn, and Heidi. He'd spend hours a day exercising all of them. Coming across the five of them on a bush walk at Centennial, the Cascades, or Hazelwood was a sight - a pair of big, elegant Belgian Teruvians striding over a pair of stout Dashunds bouncing over roots with Bruce, their vigilant Shepard greeting you with a "howdy!".

His formal education may have ended at Selkirk High School, but Bruce was a lifelong learner. He made a habit of collecting his nephew's leftover textbooks (which he generously purchased to support Mike Maher's education). He would devour titles on political theory, law and psychology, leaving the texts with more highlights and annotations than Mike ever made.

Bruce found real life more interesting than fiction and always kept up with the news. Mornings would be spent catching coffee at McDonald's with friends and thumbing through the paper. He'd speak about current events the same way many men of his age talk about sports. Fittingly, the last book he read was On Tyranny: The Road to Unfreedom.

He was an accomplished musician who mastered classical guitar and could keep up with the best behind a drum kit. The music of his youth came alive through his fingers, and while he never often made it on stage, private concerts held in his living room were something to behold.

Bruce left us suddenly doing what he loved, hiking through Centennial Park. Tracing the millions of footprints - and - pawprints he's left there over seven decades of a life well lived. May his unexpected passing be a reminder to all of us that we can't take tomorrow for granted.

He is survived by his sisters, Brenda (Bill) Match, Barbara (Lance) Buttman, and Bonita Maher, and brothers Brian (Kathy), Blaine (the late Ornella), Barry (Angie), and Brent, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families. Bruce also leaves behind good friends and coffee buddies Brian Piro, Jimmy Barca, and Karen Fukushima. He is predeceased by his good friend Bobby Girvin. Cremation has taken place and an internment will happen at a later date. In lieu of flowers, take time to honor Bruce's memory by taking a walk and catching up with friends and family. When you do, think about tracing the millions of footprints and pawprints Bruce has made over the years.

If you have memories, photos, or stories to share about Bruce, or would like to share your condolences, please write to EstateofBruceForbes@gmail.com