BRUCE EARL BOYLEN

BRUCE EARL BOYLEN December 4, 1924 - May 6, 2014 "A Man is Known by His Word". These were the words that guided the life of Bruce Boylen, who passed away peacefully on May 6, 2014 at the McCall Centre in Etobicoke. Born on North Mountain between Centreville and Hall's Harbour, Nova Scotia, Bruce provided for a loving home in Toronto with his wife, Gwendolyn (Rouse), who predeceased him in 2009, and his 3 children. His years of devotion and his measured approach to fatherhood provided a solid foundation for an ambitious, loving, and ever expanding family. The roots he planted will live on forever. He was the quiet words of wisdom in the corner, leading by example in the absence of long speeches. His sense of humour was understated but always served to put our lives into perspective, and he passed this on to all, both in his family and throughout his career. As a young man Bruce often worked 2 jobs to build a better life. He was raised on a farm in Nova Scotia, but began working at BA Oil when he moved to Toronto in the 50s, staying there through its iterations as Gulf Oil and finally Petro Canada, before finishing his career at Freightliner. Our lives were often marked by encounters with strangers who knew Bruce through work, and who always commented on his high standards or traveled great distances to engage his services. Bruce was the oldest son of Leonard Boylen and Joy Keiser. His descendants include writers, educators, business people and more, including daughter Janet and husband Joseph Lasko, son Stephen and wife Elizabeth, daughter Lorrie Ann and partner Curtis Gilke, his special brother-in-law Jack Rouse (who he always thought of as a son) and wife Vincenza, grandchildren Joseph and wife Vittoria, Jesse and partner Alexandra, Alison and husband Jamie, Rory, Jenna and husband Matthew, Kyle, Sean, Molly and Jeremy, and great-grandchildren Frankie, Henry, Finn, Zola and Samuel. He would wish only happy, productive and prosperous lives for each of them. He is predeceased by his 3 little brothers, Max, Paul, and Ralph, all of Nova Scotia, and survived by his sister Babe (Leona), of Cambridge, Nova Scotia, as well as many nieces and nephews, and their descendants, all of whom he loved dearly, and enjoyed visiting over the past 5 summers at the Beach House in Kingsport. Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Butler Chapel, 4933 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke (between Kipling and Islington Aves.) at 10:00 a.m. on Friday. Funeral service will be held on Friday, May 9th at 11:00 a.m. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca