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James Bruce Obituary
BRUCE James Michael "Mike" August 6, 1958 - April 10, 2009 It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Mike. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife Cathy; his sons Ryan and Devon; his stepchildren Cameron and Kaitlyn; his family from Nova Scotia - Mom and Dad, Jim and Lois, his sisters Debbie and Susan, and his brother Howard from Petawawa, and all their families; and many cousins, aunts, and uncles. Mike was a generous man who embraced life to its fullest. He had so many wonderful friends whom we called our extended family. A Memorial and Celebration of Mike's life will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 19, 2009 at the Meadow Gardens Golf and Country Club, 19675 Meadow Gardens Way, Pitt Meadows. The family would like to acknowledge and extend their appreciation to all the wonderful staff at RCH Intensive Care. Flowers are greatfully declined. If desired, donations can be made to the ICU at Royal Columbian Hospital in Mike's memory. "Leaving us way too soon"
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30 Entries
Colleen & Peter Groenland
April 4, 2019
Still Remembering you Mike!
Can't believe it's been 10 years, we miss you!
Your still; Riding with us Always!
We wear your memorial patch on our vests with pride. The Westcoast Motorcycle Ride To Live (our prostate cancer BC fundraiser is still going strong) $1,475,200. raised!
thanks to your ground work. www.ridetolive.ca
Riding with us Always
Ride To Live
April 4, 2019
April 28, 2010
When Mike passed away last year it was so very sad. Even though I was only an acquaintance it just made me sad for weeks. I didnt attend the service because i knew that would be too hard.
I only shared a couple of dinners with him and some great conversations about landscaping and renovations but I know he was a very special person. He didnt deserve to go so young or so unexpectedly. He will be in my thoughts and prayers for quite some time as he has been this past year. Diane Elliott
April 28, 2010
When Mike passed away it was so very very sad. So sad I couldn't even attend the service and I couldnt stop thinking about him for some reason. I am sure it affected everyone so profoundly. I only shared a couple of dinners and conversations with him, only knew him casually, but he was someone very special. He was always very pleasant to me. He didnt deserve to go so young and his passing was so unexpected. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Diane Elliott
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Peter & Colleen Groenland
April 20, 2010
Hey Mike - can't believe a year has gone by - there have been some changes to the Ride - We are now the Westcoast Motorcycle Ride To Live - because of you Honda Canada has become a great supported of the Ride with Blake C. taking the lead- you will always be there with us - we miss you. The final celebration this year will be held at Honda Canada. Hope you will be watching.
Cathy Torjek
April 19, 2010
One year ago today, over 500 people packed the room to say good bye to you. You are in our hearts forever and shall never be forgotten. I miss you! Cathy
Cathy Torjek
June 7, 2009
My Darling Mike. The Ride for Dad was a very memoriable and successful event. So many people worked hard in honour of a loving husband, father and a great friend to all. I miss you. Cathy xx
Paul Auclair
June 1, 2009
The "Ride for Dad" has a more personal meaning for me. Mike was not only my neighbour but he was my friend. As everything he did in life was top of the line, in leaving us, he continues to lead and be spokesperson for such an important cause. My deepest sympathies to his wife Cathy, and his kids that he thought the world of! Mike, we will all miss you, and I will continue to ride for you at the "Ride for Dad"
Peter & Colleen Groenland
May 26, 2009
Mike,
We are all working like mad to put on this years WESTCOAST Motorcycle Ride for Dad - in your name - it is not the same without you and we miss you very much. We will make you proud and you will always be Riding with Us.
Peter & Colleen
Co-Chairs
Westcoast Motorcycle Ride for Dad.
Peter & Colleen Groenland
May 14, 2009
Cathy, Ryan,Devon,Cameron and Kaitlyn,
The members of the WESTCOAST Motorcycle Ride for Dad committee are working ever hard to make this Ride dedicated to Mike the best Ride ever and will continue to keep his memory alive in every future Ride. To ensure that his Legacy lives on our committee will sponsor this guest book. Mike will always Ride with Us!
Maureen, Heather and Karver Smith
May 3, 2009
Cathy, Ryan, Devon, Cameron and Kaitlyn,
We were neighbours in River Springs. I remember Mike as a friendly, cheerful person who was always devoted to his kids. I feel so sad for your loss. I know nothing can ease your pain but I hope knowing that many people love and support you gives you strength in this difficult time. Our prayers are with you.
April 28, 2009
April 28,2009
Dearest Cathy and Families
We are deeply saddened to hear of Mike's passing.
We hold you close to our hearts
Vickie Rossiter and Family
Kathy Stewart
April 19, 2009
My deepest Sympathy goes out to the Family.Mike was as an Awesome Guy I had the Oppurtunity to have worked with him at Carter's...He will be Missed.
Cathy
April 19, 2009
My Darling Mike. It is so hard to say good bye, so I am going to be brave this day and say until we meet again. Forever yours Cathy
Sid & Sylvia Brown
April 19, 2009
Cathy and family;
We send you our deepest sympathies on your loss. Your loss is also ours, as we have lost a dear friend...lost too soon, but never forgotten!
Peter Groenland
April 19, 2009
Mike BRUCE joined the WESTCOAST Motorcycle Ride for Dad Team in April 2008, as one of the founding members of the Ride Committee, his love for motorcycles and people was very evident. As the General Manager for Carter Motorsports he was a very busy man – but he made time in his life for the important things, family, friends and riding.
Throughout the meetings I had with Mike, I grew to respect and like the man, he was up front, honest and true to his word.
In February this year, over coffee, Mike told me he had been diagnosed with colon cancer. We discussed it and as always, Mike took it head on determined to fight through it. In March, Mike went into Royal Columbian Hospital for surgery, there were complications and Mike fought for almost a month. At 12:45 am Friday April 10th Mike, at age 50, passed away with his love Cathy by his side, holding his hand.
Mike Bruce will always be riding with us
Peter & Colleen Groenland and
Westcoast Executive Committee
Peter Groenland
April 18, 2009
Mike BRUCE joined the WESTCOAST Motorcycle Ride for Dad Team in April 2008, as one of the founding members of the Ride Committee, his love for motorcycles and people was very evident. As the General Manager for Carter Motorsports he was a very busy man – but he made time in his life for the important things, family, friends and riding.
Last year while working on the set-up for the first Westcoast Ride, Colleen and I attended the Surrey Cancer Clinic with her father Thomas JOHNSTON, for his treatment. We saw a poster at the reception desk of Steve CREVIER (Six time Canadian Super Bike Champion) and thought that he would be a great Celebrity Ride Captain. I asked the ladies how they knew Steve, they advised one of the ladies who worked there knew him. I left my contact information with them and asked if they would have her call us. A few days later I received a call from Mike who told me that his wife Cathy had just told him he was going to be on our committee. Mike jumped onboard with both feet. Not only did he get us in touch with Steve he brought on Classic Rock 101 Bro Jake EDWARDS, Corrie MILLER and Jackson DAVIES. Mike assisted in getting our commercial produced, spread the word throughout his many motorcycle community contacts and supplied motorcycles for our guest riders.
Throughout the meetings I had with Mike, I grew to respect and like the man, he was up front, honest and true to his word.
In February this year, over coffee, Mike told me he had been diagnosed with colon cancer. We discussed it and as always, Mike took it head on determined to fight through it. In March, Mike went into Royal Columbian Hospital for surgery, there were complications and Mike fought for almost a month. At 12:45 am Friday April 10th Mike, at age 50, passed away with his love Cathy by his side, holding his hand.
Mike Bruce will always be riding with us!
We send our Love & Prayers to his Family & Friends.
Peter & Colleen Groenland, Co-Chairs,
and the Westcoast Executive Committee
Bruce Family
April 18, 2009
Mike, we will all miss you.Growing up with you was adventure.
Your Mom and Dad and siblings miss you so dearly.
Bryn Watkins
April 17, 2009
Mike was my neighbour for many years. He was a good friend. He always seemed to be able to help me out, even if it was just to lend an ear, he seemed to have the time. This shakes us all up, we will all miss him and now we will all try to live our own lives better.
Rick Husolo
April 17, 2009
Cathy & family.
Of course nothing I can say will fill the hole now in your life. But perhaps this quote, from a Church of England cleric, may give you some comfort.
"Death is nothing at all. I have slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed, at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Pray, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effect, without trace of shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was, there is an unbroken continuity. What is death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
ALL IS WELL."
-Canon Henry Scott Holland (1847–1918)
Please accept my condolences, and know that our thoughts are with you.
Larry & Kathy Kiziak
April 17, 2009
Cathy & family, our deepest sympathies to you all. Mike was blessed with a twinkle in his eye, & an impish smile, & thus armed, attacked everything he did at wide open throttle. I have many fond memories of working with Mike, but one of the best is our bike ride from our National office to our Ohio factory...it was what motorcycling & friendship is all about. Though he is gone far too soon, rest assured Mike has embarked upon the next cycle of life, and you know he is riding off to his next adventure. God speed!!
Leslie and Rob Stoneham
April 17, 2009
Our hearts are heavy with great sorrow for your tremendous loss.
We will miss Mike and will never forget him. Never.
God Bless you all.
Rob, Leslie, Lindsay and Keirra Stoneham
Terry Rea
April 16, 2009
It was always a pleasure when I would see Mike at the different shows. I never saw him with a negative thought. The motorcycle industry has lost someone with high integrity. He will be missed by all. Terry Rea, Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition.
Shane Peachman
April 16, 2009
Kathy, Ryan, Devon, Cameron & Kaitlyn
We are very fortunate to have known Mike. Our wonderful sunny neighbour who passed his warmth and laughter around when we were all in the midst of home building. Mike, we miss you.
Shane and Jean Peachman
Randy & Jay Robinson
April 16, 2009
We'll all miss him tremendously. We are grateful for the friendship and the wonderful memories. Our love to you Cathy and the entire family.
Al & Noreen West
April 16, 2009
Although we have not seen Mike in many years, we often connected when in town. We knew him in the early years of pool installations and compactors. And later with the Honda shop we knew he had found his vocation. He was a dynamic, thoughtful man who was always ready to do what ever was needed. His passing was way too soon and we are thinking of him as we raise a glass to salute his life. God Bless Mike Bruce!
Cathy
April 16, 2009
My Dear Mike
You made me strong when I was weak, you made me laugh when I wanted to cry and you made me smile when I was sad. I miss you so much and will always love you and hold you in my heart forever.
All my love!
Marcel & Kerry Verrier
April 16, 2009
Cathy, Ryan, Devon, Cameron, and Kaitlyn,
Our hearts go out to you in this trying time. Mike left us way too soon and will be missed. Although we didn't get together very often, I will always remember Mike for his love of seafood, infectious sense of humour and his laugh. He was a "do'er" which rubbed off on me the short time we worked together at Honda. Life is short and can turn at any time, live your moments to the fullest.........
Eddie MacNaughton
April 16, 2009
Thanks Mike for always putting others first. Thanks for the opportunity to know you and the the chances you have given me. You ment alot to us all. Have a great ride.
Justin Botifan
April 16, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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