Alexander C. “Sandy” Bruce
Sandy passed away on December 6th at the Bulkley Valley District Hospital in Smithers with his family by his side.
Sandy was born on February 1, 1937 in Smithers to his pioneer parents, Alex Bruce and Annie (Murray) Bruce. He grew up on the family farm in Driftwood with his sister Betty. He attended the Driftwood School with many other children from pioneer families in the area. Sandy loved to spend time with his grandparents, Alex and Helen Murray, on their farm in Evelyn. He loved to “shadow” his Uncle Sandy Murray.
Sandy worked in road construction and the logging industry throughout North Western and Central BC before making Smithers his home base. In the summer of 1972 he bought his first of many Mack trucks, at first with a gravel box, which later was converted to a rock box. He then decided to outfit his truck with logging rigging. For the next thirty-five years he hauled logs to various mills throughout the northwest, but primarily to PIR in Smithers.
In 1978, Sandy and his family moved to their rural property where he spent thirty-six happy years. He discovered he had an amazing talent for gardening, and he grew a large vegetable garden every summer. He also had several potato patches which contained the heritage potatoes ‘Gold Coin’, the seed of which he obtained from his father. He also tended to the greenhouse where he grew an abundance of tomatoes and cucumbers.
Sandy loved animals and had numerous dogs and cats over the years, all of which were assured a safe and loving home. He fed the wild birds and squirrels and was very forgiving towards the moose and deer, which periodically camped out in his yard and sampled his vegetable garden.
Sandy is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Betty; his daughter Stephanie (Gary) Huxtable and his grandchildren, Brooke, Kalum and Liam Huxtable. He also leaves behind his sister Betty (Blaine) Devins, nieces Robyn Devins and Patty (Chris) Hinrichs and great nieces Alex and Georgia Hinrichs of Port Moody, BC. He will also be very sadly missed by his Uncle Sandy Murray.
Sandy will also be remembered by his extended family, sister in law Edna (Alec) Farquharson of Kamloops; his brothers-in-law Wallace (predeceased by Freda) Bray of Bridge Lake and Tom (Carol) Bray of Kamloops and all the members of their families. He leaves behind several cousins, very good friends and his feline companions, Mitzie, Tina and Susie.
Sandy’s family wishes to give their heartfelt thank you to Dr. Haskins and the nurses of BVDH for their compassionate care of Sandy during his final days, and also to Rheta Lemke for her support.
A memorial gathering will be held in the spring. If friends so wish, donations may be made in Sandy’s memory to the Bulkley Valley Health Care and Hospital Foundation at PO Box 551, Smithers, BC V0J 2N0. It would be appreciated that donations be directed to the BVDH General Fund and be designated for a CT Scanner. You are a good man Sandy, KEEP ON TRUCKIN’!!!
Condolences may be offered at
www.raschraderfuneralhome.com
R.A. Schrader Funeral Services
250-847-2441