Obituaries

BRUCE MARTIN On Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 1:00 p.m., Bruce’s Funeral Service was held in Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Road.Publish Date: Jul 28, 2012BRUCE MARTIN It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Bruce Randall Martin on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, at home, surrounded by the love of his family, after a courageous two year battle with cancer. Bruce is survived by his brothers Chris Martin (Joyce) and Richard Middleton (Debbie); sister Leslie Middleton (Alan); children Jacquelyn Cooney (Nathan), Christopher Martin; Sarah Martin (Gabriel); and the love of his life, Libby MacTavish. He was predeceased by his mother and father, and by his brother David. On August 14, 1952, Bruce was born in Winnipeg to Marjorie Middleton and William John Martin. The middle child among siblings David, Chris, Leslie and Richard, Bruce grew up on Rosedale Avenue and attended Lord Roberts School, Deer Lodge Junior High, Churchill High, and St. James Collegiate. His wide array of interests and love of history and reading made for a knowledgeable, wise man. His interests included Canadian History, boxing, film, and astronomy, and his dream job was to be a geologist. He loved listening to the music of The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Cream, Mamas and the Papas, The Band, and many other blues and reggae artists. Bruce worked as a painter and interior decorator for most of his life, and said he knew it was the job he wanted since he had first helped paint a house when he was a child. After purchasing property in Negril, Jamaica in 1984, Bruce fell in love with the Caribbean lifestyle and reggae music, and regularly spent his winters there. In 1992 Bruce married Libby in Jamaica, and lived together with their two children in their home on Ferndale Avenue. Bruce’s three children Jacquelyn, Christopher, and Sarah were immense sources of pride for him, with the past year especially full of proud moments, including Jackie’s Jeopardy audition, Chris’ graduation from the University of Wolverhampton in England, and Sarah’s first theatre performance. One of Bruce’s favourite pastimes was taking the two family dogs, Samson and Elliot, for long walks at Maple Grove Park. A devoted friend, many of the friends Bruce met in elementary school and junior high were friends for life, including his best friend Charlie Johnson. He had many friends with whom he kept contact for years, namely his Monday Group who ate at the Evergreen Restaurant together weekly, his dear friend Elliot Goszer, and many more with whom he shared countless laughs. Bruce’s sharp sense of humour was one of his qualities that was evident in all that he did. He loved pulling pranks on coworkers, telling jokes, and just laughing at life. Bruce was often a good source of advice to those who needed it, and was always willing to talk over coffee or some lunch. He will always be known to us as someone who was there whenever you needed him, and was always very willing to help out. On Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at 1:00 p.m., Bruce’s Funeral Service will be held in Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Road. Donations in Bruce’s memory may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society or to the Canadian Liver Foundation.Publish Date: Jul 21, 2012   As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on July 28, 2012