WILLIAM BRUCE DUNLOP

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WILLIAM BRUCE DUNLOP Bruce passed peacefully on January 11, 2018 at Deer Lodge Centre, surrounded by many who loved him dearly. His was a well-lived life - full of love, integrity and adventure. Bruce is survived by two daughters, Anne and Kaye (Chrys Pappas); three sons, Dale (Alison Scott), Peter (Laurel Russick) and Robert (Tamara); 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his brother, David Dunlop of Halifax; sisters-in-law, Lila Maclean (Sandy) and Pat Longino (Peter); many nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Josephine (Allen), with whom he shared 63 years of marriage; infant son, John; son-in-law, Bruce Dryburgh (Anne's husband); parents William Campbell and Priscilla Dunlop of Halifax, NS; parents-in-law Elmer and Leah Allen of Wolfville, NS; brothers John and Hugh (Anne), brothers and sisters-in-law, many friends, and his beloved dogs, Copper and Louis. Bruce's adventure began on June 23, 1924 when he was born at home in Windsor, NS, weighing less than two pounds. Concerned for the life of his mother, those in attendance placed him in a bread box and put him in the oven to keep warm. After that shaky start, he lived a long life with amazingly robust health. Bruce lived an idyllic childhood in Windsor. He and his brothers and friends roamed the seashore and countryside at will. It was from this early immersion in nature and freedom that he developed his lifetime love of the natural world. On his 17th birthday, Bruce reported for basic training with the R.C.A.F. Both his father and uncle had experienced the horrors of trench warfare in the First World War including Vimy Ridge. He was given permission by his father to sign up but only if he did not join the army. He honourably served his country overseas in the Air Force and was discharged with the rank of sergeant as a wireless navigator. He never forgot Morse Code. Following the war, Bruce pursued studies in agriculture, his first passion. After a year which involved beekeeping, he moved to Acadia University where he was the first graduate with a Master's Degree in geology. He was a brilliant hockey player for the Acadia Axemen with the moniker "Beehive Dunlop". It was there that he met and married "the most beautiful girl in the Annapolis Valley", Josephine Allen who was a nurse in Wolfville. Bruce and Josephine set off on their adventurous life, living in many parts of Canada. He worked for the Geological Survey of Canada and then various mining companies in Newfoundland, Ontario and Manitoba. While working for INCO in Sudbury, he was transferred to Moak Lake, Manitoba in 1956 as a surface and underground geologist. Moak Lake went on to become the forerunner of the great Thompson Nickel Complex. Bruce so loved Northern Manitoba that he never left. He always promoted Manitoba as a great place to work and live. Being the free spirit that he was, Bruce formed his own company in 1964, W. Bruce Dunlop Ltd., specializing in geological exploration with offices in The Pas, Winnipeg, Toronto and La Ronge. He was respected as a great geological prospector and made deals with most of the mining companies in Canada. He employed dozens of people and found mines that employed hundreds more. He was a risk taker and entrepreneur and never ceased looking for "the next big one". His handshake was his word. He received the Distinguished Service award from the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada as well as lifetime achievement awards from other organizations in the industry. Aside from his career, Bruce had many other interests. He was generous and compassionate and often invited individuals who were down on their luck for a meal and in many cases to live with his family for as long as needed. He ran for parliamentary office twice and was dedicated to many community organizations. He was an outstanding gardener and spent his spare time beekeeping, vegetable gardening and growing giant pumpkins and beautiful roses. He never failed to present his Josephine with a daily rose that he had grown himself. He was happiest when he had 10 yards of soil to dig and distribute. He continued to play many sports and loved to skate well into his 80s. Dad was a wonderful father. He supported his children unquestionably and provided us with many opportunities. He would say "get in the car" and we would be off on an exciting adventure of a few miles or thousands of miles. We travelled across North America by car and there was never a monument too small or a park too far away that we did not visit. Bruce lived a full life. He loved his wife and family, the North, Nova Scotia, the mining business, dogs, rocks, flowers and bees. One of the last things he said was "we had a great time!" In the last years of his life Bruce was cared for by Cithra who was later joined by her husband Kapila. Our family will be forever grateful for their loving and dedicated care. The family would also like to thank the staff on the fifth floor of Deer Lodge Centre who provided care for Bruce's last few months with kindness and respect. The family will celebrate Bruce's life on August 18, 2018 at the family cottage at Clearwater Lake. All are welcome to attend. He and Mom will be interred at Lakeside Cemetery at The Pas. Dad told many wonderful and exciting stories and often recited poems. ELDORADO was his favourite poem because it was about the search for gold and it is the mantra of many a prospector. Like many before him he caught the fever as a young boy and was always searching for the 'next big one'. He recited the poem from his heart on his 90th birthday. Gaily bedight A gallant knight In sunshine and in shadow Had journeyed long Singing a song In search of Eldorado - E. A. Poe
Publish Date: Jan 20, 2018

WILLIAM BRUCE DUNLOP The family of William Bruce Dunlop wishes to announce his peaceful passing on January 11, 2018, surrounded by his family. A celebration of Bruce's life will be held at a later date at his beloved Clearwater Lake in Northern Manitoba. A complete obituary will follow.
Publish Date: Jan 13, 2018

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 20, 2018