Obituary of Bruce Henry

HENRY - Mr Gordon Bruce Henry, late of Shellbrook passed away in Shellbrook Hospital on Monday, May 10, 2010 at the age of 82 years. Bruce was born on November 7, 1927 in Guernsey, Sask., and as a young child, moved with his family to Wild Rose in 1932, where he received all his education. The family moved to Foxdale in October 1944 where Bruce farmed, as well as worked in bush camps most winters from 1946 -1957, including one winter in northern Ontario. At the age of 26, Bruce married Evelyn Pugh in December, 1953. Their daughter Diane was born in February, 1955. Farm life included grain and cattle and Bruce took great pleasure in planting and tending to willow shelter belts in the early years, spruce trees and fruit trees in the yard. Bruce and Evelyn lived and worked on the farm until 1990, when they built a new home and moved to Shellbrook, where they lived the rest of their lives. Bruce enjoyed a retirement filled with seasonal sports and events in the community. He was an avid golfer, enjoyed curling, bowling, get-togethers for card games and bridge club evenings. In the fall of 2009 in Saskatoon, Sask., with help from his friends, Bruce received his Life Master achievement in bridge competition with The American Contract Bridge League. He could be relied upon to keep the community event board up to date, help with the curling draw, fund raising events such as the bed push to Debden last summer, and loved to entertain friends and family with his harmonica. Bruce was incredibly strong and brave and these qualities, along with his faith in the Lord, helped him endure his final 40 days of the challenges cancer put him through. He will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his family and friends. Bruce leaves to mourn, his daughter, Diane (Andrew) Gilchrist of Elie, Manitoba, a brother, Jim (Edith) Henry of Shellbrook, Sask. a sister-in-law, Isabella Henry of Shellbrook, Sask. a brother-in-law Robert (Florence) McWhirter of Saskatoon, Sask., numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. He was predeceased by his dear wife Evelyn (nee: Pugh) in 2008, two brothers Bill Henry and Bob Henry, his parents Alexander and Minerva Henry, his father and mother-in-law Norman and Olive Pugh, his sisters-in -law Freida Bruce and Olga Henry, his brother-in-law George Bruce. The funeral service was held at the Pentecostal Church in Shellbrook on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., with the Knox United Church Pastor Dave Whalley officiating. The eulogy was given by Diane Henry-Gilchrist and Andrew Gilchrist. The organist was David Hjertass, the soloist was Pat Sonntag and the hymns were sung by the Shellbrook Community Choir. The urn-bearer was Barry Henry and the honorary pallbearers were Harley Henry, Wayne Henry and Kevin Henry. Memorial donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society or the Shellbrook and Districts Health Services Project . Interment was in Memorial Gardens, Prince Albert, Sask.