Bruce Minchin

1931 - 2024

Bruce Minchin

November 22, 1931 – February 21, 2024




Bruce Minchin passed away February 21, 2024. He is survived by his daughter Heather (Gary) Hannam and their children; Daniel Hannam, Lisa (CJ) Jackson and Rebecca Campbell and her children, Kaitlyn, Derek and Jordan. He is also survived by a large extended family.

He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Maisie (Martha) Minchin on January 10, 2024; his son Robert Minchin in 2012, as well as all of his siblings.

Dad was heartbroken at the passing of mom only six weeks prior to his death. We know that he is with her now, continuing on as the mostly silent, devoted, steadfast and intelligent partner that he always was.

The two met in Lillooet and were married there in 1953. They were an awesome team. Rob and I were always loved and very well cared for. I did not realize until much later in life just how fortunate we were to have been raised by these two outstanding people.

Dad was born in 1931 in Saskatchewan and moved to BC as a young adult to work for the Pacific Great Eastern Railway (which later became BC Railway). He and one of his brothers, Lorne, worked in the Lillooet area initially. Dad worked up and down the rail line--Squamish, Lillooet, Williams Lake and Prince George. He began his career as a labourer, then heavy equipment operator but most years were as a carman and a crane operator. He was often away working at derailment sites. Over his years on the railroad, he had many close encounters with serious, potentially fatal, work-related incidents but he was a highly intelligent individual who was able to recognize risk and stayed out of harm's way.

He was a very active, long standing and highly respected member of Freemasonry. Just like his family, he embraced his Masonic family and was very dedicated. He played roles in the Masonic Orders, the Order of the Eastern Star, as well as Job's Daughters.

Growing up on the farm in Saskatchewan, he was only able to attend school until Grade eight--he completed grades nine and ten via correspondence. He worked the family farm as well as helping neighbouring farmers. His quiet and calm demeanor made him a valuable asset when it came to training and handling the workhorses. Later, dad was always 'complaining' about 'those hayburners' when our family had horses but, while he did not enjoy riding them as much as the rest of the family, he thoroughly enjoyed working with them from the ground.

Over the years there were many 'dadisms' that seemed unique to my dad and I still use some of them myself. When working on something that maybe the finer details weren't as important as we were making them out to be, he'd often ask "would a guy going by on a galloping horse notice?". About a year ago, I was picking him up to take him to an appointment and he looked a bit 'off', I asked him what was wrong and his answer was "I feel like I'm chasing a fart through a keg of nails!". I wasn't sure if I should take him to the doctor or straight to the ER. (He had the flu and was feeling better the next day.) Another favourite was "if bullshit was a brass band, he'd have music wherever he goes", this would be aimed at the odd politician and a select few.
You always had to be paying attention when dad spoke otherwise you would miss these amusing descriptions he quietly delivered on a daily basis. I knew whenever he was really ill because his sense of humour would be absent, and likewise, I knew when he was getting better because it became a constant again.

During a recent hospital stay, dad was telling me about the highest elevations along the rail lines. I thought to myself, oh sure, how could he possibly know this? While he rattled off the various elevations and their locations,

I was on my phone Googling, of course, and he was correct, every time! He'd been retired for so many years but he had such an amazing memory for things like that.

He was kind, generous, thoughtful, loving, full of laughter, uncomplaining; and a remarkable man, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. He will be missed, very much. So many happy memories left behind though and that's the mark of a life well lived.

There will be a celebration of both their lives on March 30, 2024 at the Hilliard Clare Masonic Hall, 480 Vancouver Street, at 1:00 pm.


Condolences may be offered at www.AssmansFuneralChapel.com