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Bruce Peck Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Peck
10 Entries
David Minshall
September 29, 2011
I worked with Bruce at McNeil and we were also (sorta) neighbours and friends in Toronto. We often drove together to work and because of that became better friends.
I got to see the MS progress and start to consume Bruce's life. During his early days at St. Johns I was able to visit but then we moved to Alberta and it all drifted away.
But, I have great memories of Bruce and the times we spent together. I'm proud to have been his friend.
My condolences to the family and friends he has left behind when he got called home.
Deane Ewart
September 26, 2011
I was saddened to hear of Bruce’s passing. We both went to Queens and shared good times. I fondly remember his wry sense of humour and practical outlook on life. Stories from Albert College, chuckles over what had gone on in his Commerce classes, touch football (great passing arm), insightful-but-off-handed analyses of campus activities and high-profile personalities, his offer of a job in radio (“I had a bad cold when I phoned in and the guy thought I had a great radio voice”), a bit of pick-up hockey (neither one of us was very good) and even some of his Engineering friends (sorry, Stan and Rob) – all wonderful memories.
We drifted apart after school – I guess our lives were too busy – but I’ll never forget him.
Rob Peck
September 24, 2011
My name is Rob Peck. Bruce was one of my three brothers. My son, Ross, who is in Indonesia and unable to attend the service in celebration of Bruce’s life, sent the following.
Hi Dad,
I'm not sure how or where you'd use this, or even if you should, but given that I won't be there for the service I'd at least like to share with you who Bruce was to me.
And I'll start it with a joke:
On Remembrance Day, many years ago, a small Public School invited a WW2 veteran to talk to the children about his memories of the war. With the auditorium filling up with children, the teacher received word that their guest had to cancel last minute and she paced franticly, trying to figure out what she was going to do. Seeing their elderly Polish janitor sweeping the floors down the hallway, she ran up to him and asked him if he was in the War and if he'd mind speaking to the children about some of his experiences.
He confirmed he had served with the Air Force and would be happy to speak.
He stepped into the auditorium and up to the microphone. "In 1942," he said slowly, "the situation was tough. The Germans had a very strong Air Force. I remember," he paused, "I remember one day we were flying, protecting the bombers, and suddenly, out of the clouds, five Fokkers appeared below us! So we dived down and I aimed at one of the Fokkers and fired a burst from my machine guns right into him and he exploded. Then I saw that one of the Fokkers was on my tail, so I pulled round in a loop and got behind him, fired, and he went down in a fireball. I looked around and saw two Fokkers attacking my squadron leader, so I slipped in behind them, fired, and that was another Fokker in flames. The next Fokker tried to get away from me, but I got right up behind him, blasted him with my machine guns and he turned over and exploded! There was only 1 more Fokker left and he was now trying to get away! But I flew up behind him, SHOT – BABABABABABABA. BOOOOoooooommmmm....”
The teacher, who'd been listening and watching in horror, interrupted at this point. “Children, I should point out that “Fokker” was the name of an airplane used by the Germans in the war”.
"That's true," says the janitor, "but these Fokkers were flying Messerschmidts!"
I think I was 12, maybe 14, when Bruce told me this joke and it was the first time an adult had shared something with me that was so unfiltered. You and Mom had sent me and Jenn to Carole and Bruce's cottage in Tweed for a weekend in the summer and he told us this while the four of us sat on their porch, and it was great. My entire time there was incredible. We swam in the river, went canoeing, watched old movies and the two of them never spoke down to us but rather with us. They shared as friends and not as Aunt and Uncle.
Growing up I felt distant a lot of times, awkward and unsure of myself, but around Bruce and Carole this all disappeared. They laughed at my jokes, listened to my stories, didn't treat me like an annoyance and, in a time in my life when I sometimes felt that I didn't belong, I had a place around them.
I think it was in 1995, before I went to Trent, you told me that Bruce had gotten into a car accident and the doctors found that it was due to MS but I dismissed it out of ignorance. I didn't know what MS was. Bruce wasn't hurt in the accident. No need to worry.
Not long after, two weeks into my first year at Trent, I called Grandma and Grandpa to say hello and they invited me over for dinner with them and Bruce. Bruce was there? Wonderful! I hadn't seen him in a while and I was so eager for a chance to catch up. Grandpa and Bruce welcomed me at the college and I jumped in the back seat of the car, though Bruce was sporting a brand new thick, scruffy beard. I made a passing comment on how I liked his new lumberjack look but it wasn't until we arrived back at the house, and I saw that Bruce needed help getting out of the car & inside, that I truly realized the gravity of his situation.
I think I made it about halfway through dinner before excusing myself. I disappeared around the corner and cried like a child.
Over the past few years we've all watched him deteriorate and you and Grandma have been kind in saying that I connected with him during this time, but I see it differently. When I visited Bruce in the hospital and looked into his eyes, in some ways I saw myself, and I owed him an unfiltered conversation as he'd shared with me so many times before.
I think to some extent Bruce was one of my first, best friends.
Incidentally, Bruce and Carole's neighbour in Tweed had a dog that frequently marked his territory all over their property. Carole told us that the week before Jenn and I arrived, Bruce had walked around their cottage and pissed on all the trees to reclaim it.
On a side note, in the chance that Carole does attend the funeral, please give her a hug from me.
Love, Ross.
As a post script from Rob:
My Mum said to me recently that one of the things she loved about my Dad (who died two years ago) was that any time his kids asked him a question he would give the grown-up answer; he never talked down to us.
Ross’s brother-in-law, Bagus, said in his comment to me about Bruce’s passing: “He has not passed away Rob. He lives in the hearts he leaves behind.”
Ross’s story shows better than I could ever say, the truth that Dad lived on in Bruce and they both will live on in our hearts for as long as we live.
September 24, 2011
Dear Stan, Mary & Family:
We know how much family means to you, so we are feeling your loss at this time. We didn't know Bruce personally but felt we did from you telling us your memories of him.
Our love and support,
Doris, Bouchta & Aisha
Herminia Bastos
September 24, 2011
My deepest sympathies for your loss, Rob. I didnt have the pleasure of meeting your brother Bruce but if he was like his brother Rob, he would be a charming and caring man. May God be with you and your family as you mourn your loss.
terry seeley
September 23, 2011
i always enjoyed our lunchtime conversation at st johns centre....i fed him his lunch many times and found him very interesting and fun ! he was convinced i was from the ROCK !!! hahah ...i often wondered about him years later ...im honoured to have known him......you re in my prayers ..........love terry
September 23, 2011
My sincere condolences to you Rob and the rest of the family. He calls home those who's work is finish upon earth.
The words, well done good a faithful servant, come sit with me said His creator.
may His blessing be with you
Timon
Jones Family
September 23, 2011
Our sincere condolences to the Peck family. May your memories of a life well lived bring you comfort and strength during this difficult time. 2 Cor. 1:3,4
September 22, 2011
We are thinking of you, Stan and
Mary, as well as your family at this time.
Frank and Martha
Bob Stuart
September 22, 2011
I remember Bruce well from our days at McNeil Pharmaceutical even going out with him on a 'Work With' sales experience.
I am sorry to hear of his passing.
Bob Stuart
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