NEIL BRUCE CAMERON

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NEIL BRUCE CAMERON Early in the morning of May 25, 2016, Bruce passed away peacefully at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg at the age of 92. Bruce was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on March 17, 1924, the first child born to Robert and Agnes Cameron. Brothers Doug (1926) and Ross (1928) would follow. Bruce attended Wolfe Creek School, a one room schoolhouse near Shoal Lake, MB, in the RM of Strathclair. After graduating as Valedictorian he moved to Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba in 1942. Bruce enlisted in the RCAF in October 1943. Training as an Air Gunner in Quebec, he was released as a Sergeant in January 1945 due to a surplus of airmen projected for 1945. Bruce returned to Winnipeg and graduated with a BSc Eng. (Electrical) from the University of Manitoba in 1947. Bruce began a 42 year career with the Manitoba Power Commission in 1947. He was very involved in the Farm Electrification Program that was connecting the expanding electrical grid to rural Manitoba. He finished his career with Manitoba Hydro as Power Sales Liaison negotiating the sale of surplus electricity to other electrical bodies. He retired in 1989. Bruce started attending Broadway First Baptist Church when his mother sold the family farm and moved to Winnipeg. This is where he met Edna Woodward. They were married in Broadway in June of 1950. Bruce remained a member of Broadway for the rest of his life. He spent many years as church treasurer and also served on the deacons board. Bruce was a man of steadfast and unwavering faith, inspiring those around him with quiet conviction. Bruce also loved to skate and bowl and excelled at both. There are memories of him being unhappy if he didn't bowl a perfect game. But perhaps his favourite spare time pursuit was curling, and he curled well into his eighties. Bruce also never met a household project that he couldn't tackle. Their house on Oak Street was a testament to the diversity of his DIY talents. He also was one to pitch in and help family or friends at the drop of a hat with whatever they needed. Bruce will be loved and remembered by his wife of 65 years, Edna; his children Craig (Donna), Susan (Norbert), Nancy and Blair (Julianna); grandchildren Joanna (Kerry), Philip (Anastasie), Ashley, Matthew, Jonathan (Ruth) and Phillip (Stephanie); great-grandson Aaron; also his brother Ross (Vivian). He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and cherished friends. Bruce was predeceased by his parents Robert and Agnes, his brother Doug and very special friends and fellow gang members, Jim and Norma Haslam, Bob and Eleanor Henderson and Charlie and Adair Phelps. A Memorial service celebrating Bruce's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2016, at Broadway First Baptist Church, 790 Honeyman Ave. in Winnipeg, MB. Reception to follow.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 28, 2016