Jeffrey Albert Bruce

October 15, 1956 – January 11, 2024 

It is with tremendous sadness we announce Jeffrey Albert Bruce, 67, passed away at his home in Winnipeg, Manitoba, peacefully with his family by his side

Jeff was predeceased by his cherished daughters, Allyson and Ashley Bruce, and his father Albert Bruce.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Bruce; his mother Earlene Bruce; brother Jack Bruce; his sisters Marla Bruce and Lesley McCombs(Kevin); sister-in-law Roberta O’Halloran and brother-in-law Barry Payne, and numerous nieces and nephews, including nieces, Morgan Secord and Chelsea O’Halloran and their families, who grew up with Jeff’s girls and he acted as a father figure to and treated them as his own. He was also blessed with a great community of friends and former colleagues.

Jeff was born and raised in Charleswood. He married Susan Payne in 1984 and they raised their two girls in Charleswood. He maintained many lifelong friendships with his childhood friends, hockey and baseball buddies, and his Winnipeg Fire Department colleagues, many of whom supported him through his hard times and their support never wavered right up to his passing, and this meant so much to him and Susan.

Jeff was an active person all of his life. He played many sports including baseball, hockey, cycling, skiing, and snowshoeing. He was an umpire for minor league baseball. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and canoeing.

He loved his dogs, even the ones who failed to be birders. He had a very comprehensive knowledge of and love for the outdoors and wildlife. This was knowledge he shared with his daughter Ashley and the other children in the Bruce/Payne families and the children of his friends. This love led him to be involved in Ducks Unlimited, and Delta Waterfowl and he was on many committees supporting habitat conservation.

In later years he volunteered at The Fort Whyte Centre, where he was a mentor for young people in the summers at Fort Whyte Farms.

As a young man, he worked for a time with his father building houses and was a journeyman carpenter.

In 1982, Jeff went on to a long, rewarding career as a firefighter with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, on #3 Platoon, retiring as a Captain in 2013.

As a dedicated father to both his girls, he was a relentless champion for his older daughter Allyson, and her challenges with Cerebral Palsy. Those challenges never kept the family from road trips and family adventures and many backyard parties.

Jeff was instrumental in the ongoing success of the Cerebral Palsy Stationary Bike Race for many years. In recent years before his illness Jeff and Susan began doing some traveling, going on their own adventures, on cruises, and seeing the world.

Jeff was a kind, caring man who held a generous interest in others. He was bluntly honest, tenacious, and had a down-to-earth way about him. If you were part of Jeff Bruce’s circle, you were very fortunate and richer for it.

For the past year, Jeff attended the Prime program at Deer Lodge Centre. We would like to thank them for their tremendous support.

A Celebration of Jeff’s life will be held Monday, January 29, 2024, at 11:00 am at Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Drive.

If family and friends so desire donations may be made in Jeff’s memory to Turning Leaf Support Services or The Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba.