Jonathan James Bruce

May 10, 1979 – February 15, 2022

It is with heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Jonathan on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at his home in Thunder Bay, ON at the very young age of 42. Jonathan was a compassionate, kind and gentle soul and will be forever sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. His name “Jonathan” means “gift from God” and he lived up to his name in every way…a gentle, kind soul, and loving in all he did. Jonathan left this world early, but he also entered it early. Due on July 1, 1979, he made his appearance in BGH in Belleville, ON on May 10, a full 7 weeks early and 4lbs 10oz, our little Bunchie, and was 8 days old before we could hold him. He wrapped his tiny fingers around our hearts and never let go. Jonathan became a “big brother” at 13 months old when we were blessed with the arrival of our wonderful son David in 1980. Their bond was immediate and, with their ages so close, they were destined to be inseparable best buddies. Through high school, they shared friends, many of whom are still part of their lives.

Over the years, Jonathan had worked at a grocery, a shoe store, a video store, and a bank. But it's likely his early experiences with hospital…his premature arrival requiring 6 weeks in hospital, emergency surgery at 13 months with a further month-long stay, and a subsequent surgery at age 3…most likely shaped his desire to help others. So, while working full time at an auto repair shop, Jonathan went to night school to get his PSW certificate. He worked first at Glacier Ridge, and for the past 7 years as a Guest Attendant at Chartwell Hilldale Retirement Residence, where his gifts of patience, respect, kindness and humour made him a favourite amongst his coworkers and the residents he was devoted to and cared for. Jonathan would be so touched by the many caring gestures and loving words for him that have been shared with our family, and by the memorial service the residents planned in his honour.

Jonathan was very intelligent, and loved reading, with an eclectic taste in sci-fi, Egyptology, current events, fantasy/folklore, and his Bible which he read often. He had a gift for words that made him a challenging Scrabble opponent, and was very artistic, writing poetry and sketching tiny pen and ink drawings. He never judged people and had a soft spot for anyone who needed a leg up or just a caring ear. With a philosopher's mind, and a talent for seeing “both sides of the story”, Jonathan took his role as Unifor Union Representative for his fellow staff at Chartwell Hilldale Retirement Residence seriously.

Jonathan was a true “homebody” preferring gaming, Netflix and reading to partying. And he was always all about family, and the love we all shared…but the light of his life and the centre of his universe was his 4-year-old daughter, Ember!! He had a gift for speaking to her…almost as an equal…with expressions and words most people would never use with a small child, and that has allowed her to absorb his vocabulary. As a result, Ember speaks with a maturity and intelligence that belies her years. Jonathan was incredible with Ember, and was the most patient parent we have ever seen…never once raising his voice regardless of the situation. They spent literally hours creating cities out of Lego together, loved sketching cartoon animals, colouring, reading to her and playing hide-and-seek or tag. In the summer and fall, they loved looking under rocks for the bugs and worms that Ember sought out, and walking along our beach for special rocks that Ember shared with those she loves. There are a few special memories that will stay with us from recent visits. Ember wanted to bake her own birthday cake, so she and Jonathan did just that, then iced and decorated it for her 4th birthday in August. For Christmas Eve, Jonathan and Ember set out cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer, but it had to be a big fat carrot and Santa needed 4 pumpkin cookies because they are his favourite. The joy on Jonathan's face when Ember saw all her gifts from Santa at 5:20 a.m. on Christmas Day will never be forgotten!! Recent short videos of Jonathan and Ember laughing as they were sledding down the hill will be treasured for years to come. Jonathan was a devoted father and loved Ember above all else, and Ember's love for her Daddy was evident to all who saw them together. In the years ahead, we will all ensure that Ember will continue learning all about her Daddy and just how much he loved her.

Left to remember the blessing Jonathan was in our lives are his 4-year-old daughter Ember Bruce, her mother Amelia Harrison (Thunder Bay, ON) and her extended family, his parents Colin and Grace Marie Bruce (Neebing, ON), brother David Bruce and his partner Raeghan Howard, and her sons Liam and Fin (Thunder Bay, ON), aunts and uncles Jean and Bill Drury (Courtice, ON), Rosemarie Hicks (Belleville, ON), Hubert Hicks and Keri Branson (Harbour Main, NL), and numerous cousins and other relatives in Canada and the U.S. Jonathan was predeceased by his grandparents Margaret and Bernard Bruce, Hubert F. Hicks, Alice Hickmott and her husband Cliff Hickmott, and infant son Mason.

We'd like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, kindness and support we have received during this sad time. It is said “Joy shared is doubled, Grief shared is cut in half “, and that has been our experience, with so much love shared by so many to lift the burden of our grief. We'd particularly like to thank Michael Uitto of Harbourview Funeral Centre for kindness and attention to our family's wishes as we deal with our crushing loss.

A Celebration of Jonathan's Life will be held at the Harbourview Funeral Centre on Saturday, March 5, 2022 with the Venerable Deborah Kraft officiating. All are welcome. Masks are required. Advance registration to attend is not required. Visitation with the family will begin at 11:00 a.m., with the service to follow at 12:00 Noon. The service will be livestreamed and archived for a month at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca where condolences may be offered as well. In lieu of flowers, donations in honour of Jonathan's memory may be made to the Humane Society, at any branch of the TD Bank to account # 6092-6489311 where monies will be held in trust for Jonathan's daughter Ember, or to a charity of your choice.

Jonathan, We Love You A Whole Great Big Fat Bunches
And Morether, Your Family xoxoz

(which means “love you to infinity” and was Jonathan's personal sign off to those he loved most)