Thomas PEPPER

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PEPPER: Thomas Bruce Pepper passed away in Brandon, Manitoba on October 31, 2009. Bruce was born on July 17, 1929 in Avonton, Ontario. He was the youngest of five children. He spent his early years growing up and working on the family farm in St. Paul's, a small town near Stratford, Ontario. As a youngster, he spent the winters skating on the Avon River which flowed through his backyard. He loved birds and wildlife and enjoyed going into Stratford to walk along the river to see the swans. In the summer time, all the neighbours would come over to the Pepper farm and play baseball. In the winter, all the kids would get together to play bag-tag in the barn. Dad amusingly reminisced often of his younger years. He spoke fondly of his days touring on his Harley Davidson, eventually trading up for his two-door Chevy Coupe which ended up on its roof in the ditch. As a young adult, he travelled through Canada and the United States to see some sights off the family farm. He was in Brandon when he met his future wife Vera. Vera and Bruce were married in 1958. They settled in the home on the hill in 1963, where they raised five children. Together they enjoyed spending time at their summer place entertaining, relaxing and gardening. It was there that he tried to perfect his game of horseshoes. Bruce was employed with Manco Dairies for 43 years, retiring in 1993. Over the years, he shared many stories of the dairy's original crew. He said he enjoyed his job but that he loved retirement. Dad loved being outdoors. He was happiest when out ice fishing in the winter and during the summer months he loved trolling around the lake. It wasn't the catch that was important but the good times enjoyed with friends and family. In more recent years, he could be found "tinkering" in his garage, canning the harvest of his garden and reading. His library consists of a few thousand novels. He enjoyed word-find and jigsaw puzzles. He loved listening to his crackling, old-time country records and his collection of CD's. He was a regular bingo player and an avid fan of Major League Baseball. He remained true to his Toronto Blue Jays with the joke being, while pitching for the Jays, he broke his finger that ended his baseball career. Dad was known for his one of a kind humour partially because he thought he was the only one that was funny. His favourite sayings were; "A fool and his money are soon parted", "You have more money than brains" and "To make you ask questions". Dad was famous for his never ending make-work projects. If Dad loved you, you knew it. If he didn't, you knew that too. Dad would help anyone with anything. He would give the shirt off his back to someone in need but he also knew that he couldn't help people who wouldn't help themselves. He spent most of his time with his furry sidekick, Barney" Old Fella" under foot and in the way. Barney changed dad's old school thinking that sick pets are taken out behind the barn. "Gramps" and "Old Fella" shared a lot of ice cream and roast beef. Dad was predeceased by his father Charles in 1933, his mother Emma in 1975, and his brothers McGowan (1993), and Lloyd (2007), John (2009). He lost his wife Vera on January 1, 2000 after 42 years of marriage and his youngest son, Murray passed away in 2003. Dad is survived by his children Rhonda, (grand- dog Barney), Barbara (Robert), Ronald, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The Ceremony to Celebrate Bruce's Life was held at Memories Chapel on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 2:00 pm. with Rev. Chris Arthur officiating. Urn bearers were Rhonda Pepper and Barb Regner. Interment followed in the Brandon cemetery where both Bruce and Vera's Remains were placed in the Columbarium. Expressions of sympathy may be made atwww.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330."Enjoy the view from the condo!"

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 14, 2009