McDONALD, Bruce Alexander
July 15, 1936 – December 30, 2015
Bruce Alexander McDonald of Calgary, Alberta passed away peacefully on December 30, 2015 at the age of 79.
Bruce is survived by his loving wife Carol, his “Sweety”, his “Bride” and soul mate of 36 years. He is also survived by his children that will miss him dearly, Graham (Valerie), Scott (Karen) and Lynda (Mike) of Calgary; as well as his beautiful granddaughters he so adored, Laura, Mya, Kyla and Nicole. Bruce was predeceased by his mother Muriel and father Donald.
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bruce began his career at Western Engraving Bureau then with his father at Murray Tent and Awning, a very short stint at Standard Life Insurance, then Sanford Evans Publishing. He married his first wife Diane in 1958. Low and behold along came children and in 1970 Bruce decided to pack up the family, lock, stock and barrel, and moved to Cranbrook, British Columbia to become the City’s first Industrial Director where he brought in numerous businesses to set up shop in the heart of the East Kootenay’s. In 1977 Bruce loaded up the Chrysler and moved the family to the “big city”, Calgary, where he eventually retired in 1996 as President, Calgary Economic Development Authority. That opportunity was more than a job for Bruce, it was a passion!! He loved Calgary and his position took him to all four corners of the globe with many influential dignitaries, past and present. But Bruce’s heart was as big as his laugh and between Carol and him they volunteered tirelessly for many local and international organizations. Bruce was a Rotarian thru and thru…from his early days with the Downtown club to his final days with the Chinook club…I can bet you even met Bruce once or twice, while he directed you on where to park at Spruce Meadows during the Masters. He and Carol volunteered with the Calgary Stampede Reception Committee for many years together till 2013. Bruce was a dear friend to many. He was an artist – the annual Christmas cards, a gardener – those roses, a golfer – “get the fish hook boys” and a hiker but more a walker in his later years. Bruce’s home was his Eden, Carol his Queen and family was his everything!!
A Celebration of Life will be held at SOUTH CALGARY FUNERAL CENTRE, 12700 Macleod Trail South (at
Lake Fraser Gate), on Friday, January 15, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations being made in Bruce’s memory directly to the Chinook Rotary Club, (Southland Crossing RPO PO Box 42041, Calgary, AB T2J 7A6) or the Calgary Stampede Foundation, (https://www.canadahelps.org/dn/4426). Messages of remembrance may be left for the family at www.southcalgaryfuneralcentre.ca
SOUTH CALGARY FUNERAL CENTRE and
CREMATORIUM (at Lake Fraser Gate)
Telephone: 403-297-0711
Honoured Provider of
Dignity Memorial