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WARREN BRUCE PIRNIE
Born: Sep 20, 1942
Date of Passing: Aug 08, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryWARREN BRUCE PIRNIE
It is with great sadness we share that Warren Bruce Pirnie III passed away in the early morning of August 8, 2024. He was 81 years old. Often referred to as a “Legend” of Canadian Track and Field, Bruce’s participation in Canadian sport spanned more than 5 decades, first as an elite international athlete and Canadian Olympian, and later as a local, national, and international throwing coach.
Born on September 20, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts, Bruce and his younger brother, Alexander (Gus), spent many of their formative years in the idyllic farmlands of Dover, Massachusetts, on their family’s expansive acreage. At the age of nine, Bruce’s family moved to Springfield, Vermont, where he stayed until completing grade school. An avid player of all types of sports, Bruce’s youthful athletic exploits began with Little League baseball, ski patrol (Okemo Mountain, VT), and Varsity football. Immediately after graduating, Bruce left for Yankton College in South Dakota to successfully pursue a BA in History, while also lettering in track, football, basketball and tennis during his tenure. It was at Yankton that Bruce found a community board post for the International Peace Gardens Track and Field camps, forever changing his life’s ambitions and trajectory.
Giving up his U.S. citizenship to compete in shotput for Canada, Bruce competed and was captain of the Track and Field Team at the 1972 Munich Olympics and the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He won a Bronze medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games, and earned a Gold medal at the Pan AM Games in Mexico City in 1975. He set a Canadian record in 1975 with his best throw of 19.88m. He later went on to serve as an athlete rep on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Track and Field Association.
Although there is too much to account for here, Bruce Pirnie’s retirement from individual competition marked the beginning of a prolific period of coaching and mentorship: Head Track and Field Coach at the University of Manitoba (1994-1998); Director of the National Coaching Institute (1999-2004); National Development Director for Athletics Canada (2004-2007); Paralympics Head Coach for Athletics Canada (2007-2009); and Throws Coach at the University of Manitoba (2012). Retiring to a rural property in Arnes, MB, Bruce added throwing circles to his property, inviting local throwers and their coaches to come and train across throwing events, including shotput, hammer throw, discus, and javelin.
See https://athleticsmanitoba.com/bruce-pirnie/ for more details.
Bruce was twice inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame: first, in 1987 in recognition of his athletic and coaching contributions to Canadian Track and Field, and again in 2008 for his membership with the St. Vital Bulldogs Senior Football Champions, 1968-69.
Although Bruce Pirnie was well recognized for his athletic and coaching accomplishments, for those that loved him, he might also be remembered as: a Civil War buff; a guitar and banjo player; an avid fan of 60’s and 70’s folk and rock; a collector of elephant and Disney paraphernalia; an NBA addict (Go Boston Celtics!); a voracious reader of science fiction, fantasy, and political intrigue; a regular at used bookstores, libraries, and coffee shops; a long-time lover of cats; an enthusiast of Christmas and craft markets; a performer of funny voices and all-round goofiness; a researcher of family genealogy; birdwatcher; a good listener; and a proud and loyal champion of his athletes, colleagues, friends, and family.
The family would like to offer their heartfelt thanks to all the health care providers who cared for Bruce in the Gimli Hospital and Health Sciences Center.
Bruce is survived by his younger brother Gus (Chrissy), his daughters Elizabeth (Rob) and Catharine (Peter) and their mother, Karen; Jae (Kevin) and her mother, Jane; his ex-wife Judy; and his grandson (Graeme).
A Celebration of Life for friends and family will be planned and announced at a later date. If you would like to contribute pictures or stories to this event, please email brucepirniememorial@gmail.com.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 17, 2024, Aug 17, 2024
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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My condolences to the family of Bruce, a wonderful human, an acclaimed athlete and a good friend to many. In addition to knowing Bruce during the Athletics days of the 70's, he worked, as a volunteer, with the newly formed Sport Directorate, at the first iteration of the Sport Admin Center to assist in the development of a program of financial assistance for up and coming young Manitoba athletes. We termed it MAN PLAN. He was very instrumental in establishing the framework for that program that ended up providing financial assistance to many Manitoba Athletes. Bruce will be missed, but his mark on Sport in Manitoba is remembered. - Posted by: Don Fletcher (friend) on: Sep 02, 2024
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I only knew Coach Pirnie from a Legion Peace Gardens Track and Field Camp in the summer of about 1962. I came from small town Manitoba and was in awe of the experience and of the knowledgeable coaches. Coach Pirnie took an interest in me, this shy scrawny soon to become distance runner kid, encouraging me and along with one other coach whose name I sadly cannot recall, taught me valuable information both technical and psychological, providing inspiration which led me to compete in provincial meets and ultimately in the first Manitoba Marathon. I cannot say exactly what it was about Coach Pirnie that felt so special, but he touched my heart, and I thought of him often, and still do, hence this late date tribute. I will add, I even took up the shot put. I was never competitive, but I think it was my little connection to a coach that helped to inspire me to believe I could try to accomplish anything. - Posted by: garrett loeppky (Coach Pirnie at Legion Track andvField Camp) on: Aug 28, 2024
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My sincerest sympathies for Bruce's family on his passing. He was a great athlete and kind person. - Posted by: LINDA Puttaert (a fellow athlete in the 1973+) on: Aug 22, 2024
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Bruce was one of the best coaches during my school years and after years. No matter where you came from, your family background, he was always there for you. No matter how bad your day was, you knew that if you spent anytime with Bruce, it would become the best day of your life. He just loved everyone and went out of his way to make sure you would excel in everything. He was just a big teddy bear wanting to help whenever and whoever he could. Bruce always made you feel like he was your friend. Because of Bruce I became an instructor trainer of many sports. No one could ever replace his love and commitment to his teams and players. He will be missed dearly. Take care my friend. Theresa - Posted by: Theresa Harrison (former student and athlete) on: Aug 19, 2024
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I’m so sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. He had nothing but positive comments when he spoke with me about athletes that trained in my programs. He was always willing to find time to teach athletes in the schools that I worked at and who also showed an interest in throws. Thank you Bruce and your presence will be missed by so many whose lives you touched. - Posted by: Bill Macdonald (Coaching colleague of Bruce during the 70’s and 80s and follower of his outstanding contributions ) on: Aug 18, 2024
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In the late 1960s, Bruce and new wife (Karen), invited me to stay with them for the summer to train with the Razorbacks. Every day after workout - at Pan Am Track - we'd go back to his place, have supper, and walk down to the Dairy Maid for ice cream. He was so kind and generous with his time. Lots of fond memories. He will be missed! - Posted by: Dona(mae) Skogstad Hilton (Friend) on: Aug 18, 2024
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Bruce taught and coached at Nelson Mac for several years, he created such an incredible environment for the students to become involved in the Track & Field program that even though it was one of the smallest schools we had one of the biggest teams. All were welcome regardless of their athletic abilities, those who were more inclined to the sport would get all the time they needed to excel at their respective event. He had a way of making you believe that you could succeed and making sure that you had the opportunity to do so. He changed the lives of many athletes. - Posted by: Elaine Lally (Former athlete/student) on: Aug 17, 2024
