Brugger, Dennis

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

BRUGGER: Dennis Edward Brugger, April 11, 1942 – May 16, 2020. Peacefully, with his wife and daughter by his side, Dad passed away on May 16, 2020 at the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon, MB. Due to the hospital restrictions, the entire family was not allowed to be all together with Dad in his final hours. His four sons also had the opportunity to spend time with and say their farewells to Dad individually during the three days he was hospitalized. Dad was born on April 11, 1942 at the Minnedosa Hospital to Harvey and Anna Brugger. He grew up on the family farm 8 miles southeast of Minnedosa attending Roseneath and Rookhurst Elementary Schools. As a young boy he often talked about how he picked empty bottles and trapped mink and muskrats after school for spending money. Dad was ambitious and at the age of 12 years bought all his clothes for school and a Raleigh three speed bike. He had a very happy childhood on the farm with his loving parents and three siblings. He began high school at Minnedosa Collegiate and was very active in sports and made friends easily. In grade 11 he was voted vice president of the student council. It was there in high school where Dad, age 15 years, met the love of his life Cheryl Watchorn, age 14 years. They married as high school sweethearts at ages 19 and 17 years old respectively. The following years were busy ones with Dad working on construction, then as a farmhand for his father-in-law, and later worked for Manitoba Hydro. In those first 7 ½ years Mom and Dad were blessed with five children: Brian, Richard, Kimberley, Kirk, and Kevin. On March 22, 1965 Dad began his lifetime career in the Insurance and Investment business at the age of 23. His career took him from Brandon to Dauphin, then to Winnipeg, and back to Brandon by 1970. Dad began his career with Metropolitan Life as an agent. In 1972 at age 30 he joined Crown Life as the Branch Manager. During these busy years Dad studied for his Life Underwriters degree and years later earned his CLU designation. He enjoyed his work and often informed all of us that his clients were first his friends and then his clients. Dad was a people person. His smile and charismatic personality made everyone feel special. He always offered a warm handshake to each person he met and made a point of learning their name. He had a keen ability to make everyone feel special with his kind ways and warm smile, genuinely taking interest in others. He treated everyone as friends whether they were young or old, fellow business competitors, neighbours, or people from various ethnic backgrounds – all were treated with respect. In 1973, Dad was diagnosed with an inoperable cancer by his oncologist and given a few short months to live. People from all backgrounds in several countries prayed for him and God healed him completely and blessed him with 47 extra years of life to enjoy with all of us. He shared his miracle healing with many people over the years. Dad was a member of McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church for 49 years and served in many leadership roles: Boys Brigade leader, usher and greeter, and as an elder and chairman of the church board. Together with Mom, they were actively involved for many years organizing and delivering Christmas hampers. Dad had a very strong, deep faith and he enjoyed sharing his love for Jesus with everybody. For several years, Dad served on the National Board of Women Alive. He also served as a member of the Brandon Life Underwriters, as a lifetime member of Advocis, and served for 6 years on the Manitoba Insurance Council Board. Dad and Mom enjoyed many exciting vacations together travelling to Switzerland, Bahamas, Mexico, Hawaii, Sweden, and Britain to name a few. As a family we enjoyed many vacations to BC where we spent many happy experiences with Mom and Dad's extended families. In 2014, they travelled to Morroco and on to Greece where they shared a wonderful time in the home of Paul and Susan Spiropolous. Dad loved time with his family the most. He loved the outdoors and when his sons were small he would campout in "pup tents" in the farmyard of his youth. He taught his boys how to fish, hunt, and enjoy nature. We spent many happy times at our cabin at Ditch Lake. There, Dad taught all of us how to water ski and take us on endless boat rides. At the end of the day Dad would don the skis to ride the waves too. He loved to golf, curl, play tennis, racquetball, ping pong, pool, and judo. He embraced life to the fullest. Dad had young people from Mexico, Philippines, Columbia, Haiti, Singapore, and Canada who called him their "grandpa or papa" as our family grew to include others. He loved and prayed for each of them. Dad received a diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease 17 years ago. Despite the challenges he faced, he continued his zest for life with a positive spirit. He served on the PK Board of Manitoba for several years and actively participated in many Superwalks in Brandon with the support of his family and friends. In his heart Dad never retired from his career that he so enjoyed. His highlight was having his four sons and son-in-law all in the business with him for several years. Today, sons Kirk and Kevin, and his grandson Cameron carry on the business with Brugger Wealth Management. As his Parkinsons progressed Dad moved into Valleyview Care Home where he spent his final eight months of life. Several staff and residents became his friends. A special thank you to all his friends and extended family who took the time to visit him regularly and add quality to Dad's life. We will miss hearing Dad's stories and listening to all his groaner jokes and favorite quotes. He will be remembered for his teasing and jokes, his smile and twinkle in his eyes, his laugh, his generosity and his warm, kind spirit. He loved his family more than anything and his love for Mom was truly deep and forever. Even though Dad is no longer physically with us, we continue to feel his presence and love. He is with Jesus who he loved and worshipped. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years Cheryl; his children Brian (Marni); Richard (Ruth); Kim (Dean Whittington); Kirk (Allison); and Kevin (Laurie). He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; his brother and wife; two sisters; a brother-in-law, and three sisters-in-law. He was predeceased by his parents Harvey and Anna Brugger; two precious granddaughters Amber and Kayleigh; his parents-in-law; one sister-in-law, and four brothers-in-law. A private family graveside service took place on May 30, 2020 at the Smoland Cemetery near Minnedosa. Dad's six grandsons: Joel, Jordan, Mitchell, Cameron, Braydon, and Dawson, carried their Papa to his resting place. Pastor Daryl McAuley from McDiarmid Drive Alliance Church officiated. The grandchildren shared special memories and tributes. Due to social restrictions, we were unable to have a corporate funeral service to honour Dad's life. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, Brandon.

The graveside service may be viewed on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR0wjT0FIsU.

A heartfelt "thank you" to the many wonderful friends and family who have made donations to the Samaritan House and Brandon Teen Challenge in Dad's memory.

Dad you were always
there to care for and
love us unconditionally.
You will always be our forever mentor and hero!
God blessed our family with the best of the best!
We love you beyond description and cherish
every moment we shared with you here on earth.
Dad never said good-bye instead he would say,
"Till we meet again."

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 10, 2020