Bruce MacMillan

February 17, 2025

We are sad to share the news that Bruce MacMillan passed away suddenly of a heart attack on Feb. 17, 2025 while visiting his cousin in Calgary. As cousin Charlotte puts it, "Just as in life, when Bruce decided to go somewhere, do something, the path was direct and speedy". Bruce was born in June of 1941 to parents Bruce (Mac) and Lucille McMillan. An only child, Bruce grew up on his parent's small farm near the prairie town of Pooka, Alberta. Nearby cousins substituted for the siblings he never had, and the various branches of the family frequently gathered together at their Grandma Parks home for special occasions, often travelling across the fields by horse-drawn sled over the frozen prairie snow drifts.

The low hills and bitterly cold, windy winters of the prairies during the 1940's and 50's were not for Bruce, and he swore he was born in the wrong place. Accordingly, in the early 60's he moved his wife, Sharon, and their two young children, Malcolm and Hope, to the mountains of Smithers, BC. Here, he worked for a time in carpentry, but his real love was for construction equipment and he had cut his teeth working on the highways of Alberta. In BC he was hired by the Engineering Department of the Forest Service, which took him all around the province on various dam projects over a 10-year period. He eventually worked his way back to Smithers, quit his government job and freelanced. He worked throughout the Bulkley Valley and on up to Prince Rupert, where he ran equipment on the coast with a helicopter logging company - a career hi-lite!

Personal circumstances changed, as they often do, and he and Sharon parted ways. He met his second wife, Cheryl, in 1985 and they were married in 1989. Together with Cheryl's children Bill and Dana, they made their home on 5 acres in the Driftwood area. Bruce started his own contracting business at this time, purchasing his first excavator and a small Cat- a lifelong dream realized. He was in his element in the seat of a machine, and was well-known for his operating skills. Working throughout the Bulkley Valley for government, logging companies or local individuals, he was happy building logging roads, working on large bridge projects or on small jobs for local residents. Clients and business associates invariably became friends for life.

When the 5-acre plot of land became too small, Bruce and Cheryl purchased the old Meiklem homestead in Quick in 1999. There was plenty to keep Bruce busy here, and he developed a strong connection to the land and all the creatures that shared it. He felt at home in this farming community and spent many happy hours swapping stories with neighbors, exchanging work and just generally helping out when needed. He was very resourceful, and could dig through one of his many buckets of assorted "nuts and bolts", cobble some pieces together, and come up with a fix for whatever the problem at hand!

Bruce was a sociable character and loved nothing better than connecting with folks, whether at the local coffee shop, the GM or Kubota dealer's, the grocery store, or anywhere else he happened to meet a friend or neighbor. He always made the effort to stay in touch, and enjoyed many a family reunion or informal get-together. He was never one to hold back when expressing an opinion, and was what could be termed "just a wee bit of a red-neck". Above all, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and a good friend and neighbor. He held a great respect for mother nature and all her creatures, and treasured our four-legged family companions.

Bruce was pre-deceased by his parents in 2007. He is sadly missed by his wife, Cheryl and children Malcolm, Hope (Kevin), Bill (Missy) and Dana (Quentin), the grandchildren and great grandchildren that brightened his life, and by his many friends and close relatives.

You are invited to an informal gathering at the Round Lake Hall on Sat. April 5 from 2:00-4:00, to share memories, swap stories, and just have a good visit - there's nothing Bruce would have loved better!