In Memory of Maurice Francis Bruce II

1953 - 2023

01/06/2023

With heavy hearts we announce that Maurice Francis Bruce II passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side, on June 1, 2023.

He is survived by his loving wife Mary (Ralph), daughter Noelle (Marc Poliquin), son Maurice III (Amanda Bruce), and cherished grandchildren Charlotte, Luke, Madeleine, Mirabelle, Bennett and Arabella. Also left to mourn are his siblings, Debbie (John Carew), Craig, and Margot (Robert Nash), brothers and sisters in law John and Susan Ralph and Simone and Stein Snarby, loving nieces and nephews, lifelong friend Joy Budden, and the many friends he made over his lifetime.

Predeceased by his parents, Maurice and Margot (Pike), parents-in-law John and Helen Ralph, and his dear friend Phil Budden.

Born and raised in St John’s Newfoundland, he left the island to follow a successful career path with Canada Post, ultimately choosing to settle in Ottawa, Ontario where he obtained his MBA from the University of Ottawa. Naturally curious, he loved to travel, and saw much of the world with his family in tow. In his retirement years he built many fond memories taking boat trips with his friend Phil, as well as many vacations to sunny destinations with his wife Mary. He was known as an excellent cook and treasured all of the family meals, holidays, and special events, whether he was the gracious host or a grateful guest. Quick to laugh and quicker of wit, his sense of humour will be sorely missed.

The family is grateful for all of the wonderful doctors, nurses, and support staff that assisted in his care, with special thanks to his doctors Reena Goindi, Garth Nicholas, Ghislain Doiron, Martin Rioux, Daniel Vincent, Richard Plantive, and Bayshore nurses Shari Anderson and Sophie Olivier.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre.

Fond of the water, he found meaning in a nautical blessing used both in farewells and to mark the beginning of new journeys, wishing its recipients a safe passage and good fortune. So we wish now for him, and for those left to mourn him, “Fair Winds and Following Seas”.

Condolences

Dear Mary, young Maurice, Noelle and families
Our hearts are heavy with sadness thinking of your tremendous loss.
Maurice was so very much a part of all of you.
Thankfully, you all have an incredible amount of happy memories of adventures and time spent together to relive when you feel sad.
The last months were extremely difficult for all of you but Maurice’s comfort and wishes were your first priority and we are sure you will have no regrets
Sending love, and hugs to all of you,
Simone, Stein, Anton and Elan

I am so sorry for your loss Mary and family. My thoughts are with all of you during this very difficult time.

To Mary and family, we offer our sincere condolences on Maurice’s passing. We remember sharing many meals and evenings hosted by both of you, topped off by Maurice’s fine cooking. To say he loved fine wine and fine food would be an understatement. Maurice was one of a handful of people I met in my lifetime that had such a broad understanding of the world, its people and their various cultures. Any conversation with him was engaging, interesting, educational, humorous and challenging- all at the same time. He will be greatly missed. Keith and Valletta.

Mary, my friend, I’m heartbroken and so sorry to hear of Maurice’s passing. I have thought of you often and only wish you peace and comfort during this very sad time. May the memories you shared live in your heart forever. Sending my sincere condolences to you and your beautiful family.

Mary and family,

My deepest condolences are sent with warm hugs. Remember all the great memories you shared.

Mary:

My heartfelt sympathies are with you and your family at the loss of your beloved husband. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

To the Bruce families, Mary, Maurice III, Amanda, Margot and Robert. Our deepest condolences to you all at the passing of Maurice II. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this sad time. Darroch and Lois Jones

Deepest condolences to Maurice’s family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Mary, Maurice, Noelle and families,
I am so sorry to hear of Maurice’s passing.
May you have comfort and peace in the memories you have and the love you shared. Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a beautiful trail of memories.
Thinking of you and your family and sending you strength to get through the difficult days ahead.
Nadia

Mary,Maurice,Noelle and families,
I’m finding it hard to know what to say…to express our sorrow for the loss of such a ‘ larger than life’ man. Maurice was such a quick witted fellow..we had some great banterings ,he and I.
I’ll miss those conversations 😪.
I’m so glad you all got to come visit Newfoundland and do the ‘ tour’ as he liked to say.
John and I share in your grief .
Love and kisses…your Ralph family

Dear Mary, Noelle, Maurice lll, Debbie, Craig, Margot and families,
Elaine and I were truly saddened to learn of Maurice’s passing. His was a life well lived and blessed with the love and strength of a great family. May you all find both comfort and support in all the happy and loving memories you shared during his life. Maurice will be sadly missed.
With our deepest sympathy
Love,
Harry and Elaine

I worked with Maurice in the late 80s and early 90s. I remember him well for his friendly demeanour and his professionalism. My condolences to his family and friends.

Dear Bruce family and to everyone who loved him deeply, our deepest condolences to you all. We are thinking about you during this difficult time and sending you all much love and strength. May he rest in peace and you find comfort in the memories you shared.
Moe, Angie, Emily, Nicholas Belenchia

Mary, I am so sorry to hear about Maurice’s passing. While I didn’t know Maurice well, his obituary certainly depicted a man with a “Big Personality” who loved life, family and friends. I am sure he will be missed greatly…..hold on to all your beautiful memories. Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family💕🙏

Dear Mary and family,
Gilles snd I were so saddened to hear of Maurice’s passing. His presence, culinary skills, and quick wit will be missed by all, but especially at the Bruce family gatherings.
Our condolences to all of you.

To: Margot, Robert and Family, So sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Margot & Family
So sorry for your loss. May all the happy memories help get you through the Days ahead. ❤️

Mary and family – when Sheila and I received word that Maurice had passed we were saddened but felt assured he was now in a better place. He was a proud son of the “Rock” and loved returning for visits. In his company you were entertained by his informed and quick wit. He will be remembered fondly and greatly missed by all his friends from golf, cards and social gatherings. Our sincere condolences, Mike & Sheila

Margo, Robert, Emma, Zack and Bruce Family, please accept our sincerest condolences on Maurice’s passing. Margo, listening to all of your wonderful stories about Maurice and the rest of your family, I know you have many beautiful memories that you will all cherish forever.

Mary Elizabeth and family, I was so saddened to read of Maurice’s passing, my condolences to all of you. I read of his many boat trips with Phil, so I’m sure he has arrived safely home and two of them can spin many a story. Let your family love and warmth surround you….

Debbie;
it’s never easy to lose a sibling. Take care. Thinking of you.
Barrett

Debbie and John

So sorry to hear of Maurice’s passing. Our thoughts are with Debbie and the family.

To the family and Maurice we send our deep condolences.

I was so fortunate to be in Maurice’s (and Phil’s) company quite a few times while exploring the warm waters of the sunny south. There’s no question we were served many a great meal while also sharing Maurice’s fabulous music playlists ,and quite a few interesting stories along the journey.
Always a pleasure is an understatement. Great memories were created and remain with us in celebrating the life and great times of this special man.

In sympathy – Greer and Donna Hunt. St. Philip’s, NL

Debbie, John, Mary and family

Thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Tom and Ruth

Sending deepest condolences to Maurice’s family.

My time with Maurice was spent exploring and enjoying the many boating trips with Phil. We shared incredibly great experiences, all which included amazing meals, stories galore and an unbeatable music chart. Maurice was an absolute great ship mate and friend.

The lasting memories and stories will remain with me.

In sympathy
Greer Hunt
St. Philip’s, NL