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DONALD BRUCE COOK
Born: Sep 29, 1949
Date of Passing: Aug 05, 2019
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DONALD BRUCE COOK
Born: September 29, 1949
Date of Passing: August 5, 2019
Bruce was born in Winnipeg to Donald and Muriel Cook, the eldest of three boys, a born leader who took charge of his younger siblings.
In 1972 he took a job in Scotland where he met his future wife Janet, who he persuaded to return to Winnipeg with him. They were married for 46 years, and enjoyed many adventures and travelling until illness took him far too soon cutting short the plans they had made together.
Bruce leaves behind his mother Muriel, his brother Hugh and his wife Arlene, his nephew Fraser, niece Kathleen and her husband Kurtis, and his niece Lauren and sister-in-law Janie.
He was predeceased by his father Donald (2011), his brother Malcolm (2016) and his mother-in-law Jessie (2006).
Early in Bruce's career, he was promoted and left for Edmonton before being transferred to Burlington, where he lived the rest of his life. Bruce worked many years in the waste business, then changed careers moving into business consulting, and for the past number of years ownership of businesses in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning sector. Bruce worked right up to his illness, and had a strong belief that you never paid your dues, you owed it to yourself and others to get moving and make a difference. Bruce enjoyed a highly successful work career, and one of Bruce's core strengths was numbers; he understood them and what to do with them. That combined with work ethic and dedication prompted good things to happen. He was a mentor to many of the people he worked with and a common theme in the last few days has been how much that will be missed.
Bruce had a great sense of humour, a lover of terrible puns. He had a true zest for life. His loyalty to his wife, family and friends was profound.
A private Celebration of Life will be held at a future date in Burlington and Winnipeg.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 10, 2019
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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Dear Janet and Cook family, my sincere condolences to you all. Bruce was a great friend. I will sorely miss him. We got to know one another working a consulting assignment many years ago in Winnipeg. I always treasured Bruce’s practical insights, and warm sense of humour. As a friend, he was genuine, there to listen, and offer useful advice. He was easy to spend time with, whether in person or on the phone. We had breakfast shortly before he passed away, and I will remember that time fondly. - Posted by: Craig Fossay (Friend) on: Aug 21, 2019
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I am so sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. I have so many great childhood memories of fun times spent in Winnipeg. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Bruce was a fine man! - Posted by: Karen Hay (First cousin) on: Aug 12, 2019
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Hi Hugh, Arlene, and Muriel, I'm so sorry for your sad loss. I was fortunate enough to speak to Bruce maybe a month ago on one of his routine calls to your mom, and he told me how much he appreciated me being in your mom's life. He had a way of making us workers feel valued and appreciated. I hope things are going ok with Muriel as well, as she has been going through her own tough times. Take care you guys, I sincerely have appreciated being involved with your family and wish you the very best. I am always here for your family and if there's anything I can do please call. Sue - Posted by: Sue Crielaard (Home Instead worker for Muriel) on: Aug 10, 2019