BRUCE GOODRIDGE

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BRUCE GOODRIDGE October 31, 1923 - March 14, 2004 Peacefully, at the Eriksdale Personal Care Home, Bruce Goodridge passed away at the age of 80 years with his family at his side. He goes to join his beloved wife Elsie, who passed away in 1972. Bruce is lovingly remembered by his daughter Sandra Hogue and son-in-law David; his son Brad Goodridge and daughter-in-law Laurie; granddaughters, Alanna (Joe) Aiello, Elsie Ann (Aaron) Hogue, and Dodie (Scott) Carleton; grandsons, Brady and Connor Goodridge; and great-grandchildren, Stephen, Jarod and Julia. Bruce is also greatly missed by his mother-in-law Lottie Dowsett Yaworski; in-laws, Ray and Elaine Dowsett, Art (Margaret) Dowsett, Clayton (Joanne) Dowsett; his aunt Lizzie Goodridge; and his many nieces, nephews and friends, especially Lil and Hazen Jeffers, and Larry Weatherburn. He was predeceased by his wife Elsie; father-in-law Stan Dowsett; mother Winnifred Rose; brother and sister-in-law, Allan and Lucienne Dowsett; and longtime friend Robert Lundale. Bruce was raised in Eriksdale by his grandparents, William and Annie Goodridge, and grew up at Manitoba House, the boarding house the Goodridges owned and operated in town. He was a member of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders overseas in the Second World War. Wounded in Belgium, he spent time in hospitals in France and England before coming home to Eriksdale on VE Day in 1945. He got a job at the Eriksdale Creamery when he returned from the war, and married his sweetheart; Elsie Dowsett, in 1947. Bruce worked for the Creamery until 1960, and then commuted to work at Palm Dairies in Winnipeg as he and Elsie raised their children, Sandra and Brad, in Eriksdale. In 1965 Bruce took a job with the Department of Highways, and worked there until he retired in 1983. Never one to sit idle; he supervised summer work for the Eriksdale Municipality until 1991. Bruce was a member of Legion Branch #140, and an avid sports fan. As a young man he played baseball in the summer, and in the winter he curled, and played or coached hockey. When he could no longer play the games himself he could always be found cheering in the stands, working behind the bar at a bonspiel, or selling tickets to fund raise for a team or for the Recreation Centre. Many will remember being a part of Bruces community hockey pools, which raised the money to purchase the zamboni for the hockey rink, fondly named "Bruces Buggy." Bruce also loved the horse races, and from May to October each year he could be found at the Assiniboia Downs, betting his favourites and enjoying a Sunday afternoon with his many friends. He even tried his hand at horse ownership in the 1990s, being a co-owner of "Im A Runaway". There are many a "Winners Circle" picture with Bruce grinning proudly as he stands beside Im A Runaway. When he could no longer physically get to the track, he still enjoyed the races via satellite TV, placing his bets over the phone with "his girls" in the office at the Downs. We miss you Dad, and were thinking of you up there at that big Race Track in the sky, with Mom by your side and a beer in your hand. "Bang on, baby, bang on." Special thanks to Ray and Elaine for always being there. Sincere thanks to Dr. Tiedt, Dr. Steyn and the staff at Eriksdale Hospital and the Eriksdale Personal Care Home for their care and kindness. Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Bruces life will be held on Friday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m. at the Eriksdale Recreation Centre, Eriksdale MB. Rev. Melanie Kauppila will officiate. Interment will take place at a later date in the Eriksdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eriksdale Hospital Guild co/ Irene Sigurdson, Box 474, Eriksdale, MB, or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 6 Donald St. Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. We see a smile upon his face, As dad moves on to another place. And watches Mom standing there, As heavens wind blows through her hair. Now two young souls walk hand in hand, In a place where theres no mortal man. Where spirits know, no sorrow, no pain, And where our Dad knows Mom again. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOMES LTD. Ashern - Lundar (204) 768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 17, 2004