We are sad to announce the passing of Bruce, on March 4, 2022. He was predeceased by his father Harold; mother Muriel; father-in-law Frank Matiation; and brother-in-law Edward Matiation.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marcia. Bruce felt very fortunate to have met her at a young age and was devoted to her for the rest of his life. He is also survived by his two sons Blair (Marina), and Jason (Megan); his grandchildren Ciara, Scarlett, Linden, Sadie, Calla and Will. He is also survived by his brothers Grant (Ann) of England, Gordon (Bonnie-Jo) of Ontario and Glen of Winnipeg.
Although Bruce had a long and successful career (Manitoba Blue Cross), his main priorities and joy in life derived from his wife, children and grandchildren.
We would like to thank the Grace Hospital ICU Doctors and Nurses for their wonderful care.
In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place. No service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Cancer Care, Humane Society or Grace Hospital ICU (Intensive Care Unit).
To my Sons:
I just want to say,
I thought of you a thousand times a day.
I tried to shoulder more of the load,
To lead your life down a smoother road.
So finally, to say the very least,
I find myself at total peace.
Please kiss my grandchildren every night,
Tell them I loved them with all my might.
Love Dad
14 thoughts on “Bruce Harold Lyon”
Dad was a wonderful man. Besides his kids and family he loved the outdoors. He really enjoyed wildlife. Fishing was a huge passion in this man’s life. He taught both his boys how to fish and we will cherish it forever. He also had a passion for sports. He followed his Winnipeg sports teams, always rooting for them. My Dad lastly was a fierce competitor. This is where his boys get it from. His youngest Jason is an Olympian, which made him extremely proud. He will be missed.
Bruce wrote his own obit, and unfortunately he forgot to put a lot of things in it.. The cherished memories of his nephews(Andrew, John, and Christopher. Talking to them every Christmas when they were young, taking John ice fishing when John and his family visited Winnipeg. And watching Andrew and John climb the apple tree in Grandma’s and Grandpa’s back yard. He also cherished the memories of field training and trialing his dogs with many of the members of the gun dog club. I am sure Kevin and Gail will have a drink ready for him and ready to reminisce about all the dogs they trained, trialed, and judged.
I still cherish the ice fishing and Bruce and Gordon trying to make me feel at home by providing boddingtons… Loved seeing Jay being awarded sportsman of the year, and recall you all turning up at Grandma’s for breakfast and uncle Bruce specifically reserving the walleye (hope I got that right) cheaks for Izzy who was only 6mths old as they had no bones and I recall her calling him grandpa as he was the spit of her grandpa (Grant). We will visit again (if I get my way soon, oh and if we’re welcome 😬) and will miss uncle Bruce but Blair, Jason and aunty Marcia we’ll all have fond memories of our time spent together. Love John, Katy and Izzy xxx
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Bruce he was a great man and such a great friend. Our deepest sympathy to Marcia, Blair, Jason and family.
I worked with Bruce for many years at Manitoba Blue Cross. I considered him a great friend. One oof the smartest and funniest people I’ve ever met
Marlene Thorarinson
Marcia, Blair, Jason, and family.
I was very saddened earlier this morning to learn of Bruce’s passing. He was someone I deeply cared for.
I didn’t have the opportunity of meeting all of you but I certainly did have the pleasure of sharing an important time in my life with Bruce. I met him when I interviewed for his old position at Blue Cross, as fate would have it on the second interview date him and I arrived early before the interview started at Rae & Jerry’s and really hit it off, that of course as I’m sure you know was his favourite spot for lunch (Steak sandwich or Cobb salad). He made an impression on me that day, incredibly intelligent, thoughtful, funny, interesting. I later would accept that job offer knowing that I would have a chance to apprentice under Bruce for 7 months before his retirement. During those 7 months we really got to know each other, he was an excellent mentor, he knew his stuff cold and trained me well, I grew sure that Bruce actually bled Blue because he went to battle for that organization over the decades. His voracity for the wellbeing of the company wore off on me at a critical stage in my life and career, the lessons he gave to me positioned the organization well for the future, and indeed thanks to him the organization went on to have a lot more success.
Over that period I didn’t just learn about work, I learned about work-life, I learned about his family, I learned about you guys. He cared deeply for all of you, he was in fact, to me, like a father figure that I never had or knew growing up. He told many stories about you guys growing up, about all your successes in life, about fishing and hunting, hockey, and archery, and then about parenting. He even told hilarious stories about getting snowed-in and having to stay over night at family x-mas events. Our relationship didn’t stop when he retired, we kept in touch on a very regular basis, in fact it feels like only a few weeks ago that I spoke to him last. If only I knew that was to be our last conversation.
Over the last 10 years Bruce helped me a lot in my career and personal life, he listened to my challenges and shared his experiences with the same. He was an advocate for me no matter what and someone I looked up to and trusted very much. I will be forever grateful that I had a chance to know him. I know he was battling hard over the last few years even though he seldom wanted to show it. He dearly wanted to spend more time in Alberta through the pandemic but while that wasn’t possible he quite loved all the iPad sessions you guys had with each other. Nobody really knows where we go when we pass, but I know for certain that wherever that is Bruce is as close to you as he can be now, his spirit will watch over you and the grandchildren forever more. May you all take his love, passion and teachings with you along each of your own journeys in life, the same way I have and will continue to do.
Take care during this time of loss, your father was a great man, my thoughts and prayers are with you now.
Hey Jeff,
I believe we met once or twice in passing. I know my Dad spoke very highly of you and really cherished his time with you. I appreciate your kind words and message. It really means a lot to read it. Thank you for being there for him as well. He really loved his friends.
Sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. Although I worked in another department, I did learn a wealth of knowledge from Bruce. He helped me understand the Underwriting perspective when I first started at the company that I will always be thankful for.
My deepest condolences to his family.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I worked with Bruce at MBC and I loved the fact that he never minced words. He told it like it was and I loved that about him.
Marcia, Jay, Blair
I am so, so sorry for your loss. To simply say I worked with Bruce would be a gross understatement of the things he meant to me. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had him in my life. His mentorship and friendship made me the person I am today in many ways. He provided a role model for how to work, how to think, and how to make sure the important things (friends and family) always stay at the core of your life. Wherever he is, I am sure there is a lab by his side and a tawny beverage in his hand.
Take care.
I also worked with Bruce at Blue Cross from 2008 until he retired. Bruce always impressed me with his tremendous integrity. If he believed he was correct, it did not matter who you were, he told you so. And we all learned that generally, he was right I only caught him out a few times, in thousands of decisions that he made.
Because of his deep belief in his craft, he has the respect of all of the Blue Cross plans in Canada.
Bruce will be sorely missed by everyone who knows him. I had so many fun times wit him also especially on a Friday afternoon when he would call me me and say, let’s go for a fast beer, we have had a good week.
I wish the family my sincere condolences. I know that Bruce was a deeply committed family man based on his support of his wife and his kids.
All the best to the family. This is a difficult time, I am going through it right now with my family in the last few weeks. My heart is with you all.
I worked with Bruce at MBC for many years and also golfed with him regularly. Bruce was a good guy and extremely smart wonderful person to know and spend time with, the world lost a great person.
Very sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Bruce over my 23 years at Blue Cross. He was very determined and was a great asset to Blue Cross.
To Marc, Blair, Jason and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing; my sincere condolences to all of you. I have known Bruce since I was sixteen and we had maintained a friendship for all these years. I may not have spoken with him often in the latter years but it was always like old times when we reminisced. There was a history, the passage of our youth and through the stages of adulthood that I do not have with many people and I will truly miss him. I valued his opinions, advice and wonderful sense of humor. I remember many conversations with him when he talked of his family and how important they were to him. I know he loved you and that you meant the world to him and he wanted the best for you. Our worlds were a better place because he was in it.