Bruce Reginald Harris

July 6, 1934 – May 24, 2018

Open minded, perpetually curious, judgment free, and kind, Bruce Reginald Harris lived his life with quiet passion and embodied love.  Fully present, Dad’s unspoken message was to say ‘yes’ to life, just as it was.  Through his warm, listening presence, one could just ‘be’ and feel acceptance, no matter the story.    

An active and adventurous boy, Bruce was born and raised on a small farm near Landis, Saskatchewan to Alice (Sandmeyer) and Lyle Harris. He was the eldest of three.  Predeceased by his parents in 1990 and his sister Shirley (Swanton) in late February of this year, his sister Joyce Shaw is the only one of his family still with us. 

Dad and Mom, Joyce (Cornelson), were together for 63 years and would have celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary September 23^rd of this year.  They were inseparable.  They loved singing in United Church choirs throughout their married life.  Dad had a beautiful tenor voice, mom sang soprano or harmony and they often sang duets for community events.  Dad and Mom also loved dancing and did this regularly, well into their seventies.  They enjoyed and nurtured many deep and lasting friendships over their lifetime and our home had an open door with plenty of coffee, food and laughter accompanying the visitors.

Ambitious and able-bodied, at fourteen, his father was laid up and Dad farmed for the family while taking his grade nine classes by correspondence.  At seventeen, he completed high school then taught in a one-room schoolhouse for a year.  He took a year of engineering at university before starting on the railway (CNR) as a telegrapher.  Knowing that telegraphy was being phased out and wanting to provide security for his family, Dad left his post in Edson when they became parents to Valda in 1959.  They loaded up the car with their belongings and one-week old baby, and headed to Calgary for Dad to study Industrial Electrical Technology at SAIT.  Lorilee was born just prior to Dad’s graduation in 1961.  He was the valedictorian of his class.  They moved to Lacombe and then to Wetaskiwin when Dad began working for Calgary Power (now Trans-Alta Utilities). 

In 1969, Airdrie became home for the next 45 years.  Children and elders were drawn to Dad and generations reveled in simple play and the pleasures of childhood throughout the seasons.  Watching him with our children (Lorilee and Brandan Lester – Ayla, Jilayne and Megan) and Valda (Elizabeth and Samuel Keyte) allowed us to witness the many reasons he was such a wonderful father.  Elaborate snow and blanket forts were built, ponds, rivers and lakes were fished, gophers were snared, songs were sung, cookies were baked, hide-and-go seek was played, cards were dealt, plants were seeded and harvested, stories were told, books were read (over and over) and Saskatoons were picked. Whenever there was a work project or a chance to pitch in Dad was there.  Trimming the hedge, peeling potatoes, doing the dishes, organizing camping trips, painting the house, raking leaves, washing windows, cooking at the barbeque or stove, building sheds - even climbing onto the roof in his seventies to check out the state of it.  He quietly supported neighbours and friends with visits, food delivery, driving and paperwork throughout the years – many examples of which we are just finding out about now.  He truly valued his membership and community in the Masonic Lodge.  Every play, every game, every sporting event, every musical performance, every chance he got he supported and participated in our lives.  Every person he came in contact with was seen and knew themselves as the highest and best of who they are.  His quiet love and deep engagement with all the wonders of Life, was an example and blessing to all who knew him. 

Dad and Mom moved from Airdrie to be closer to family in 2014 when he was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Dad began living in Long Term Care at the High River Hospital.  Mom and Dad slept in separate beds for the first time in their long marriage.  We got the family together as much as possible through his deteriorating illness, sharing meals and music to the end.  

Even in his illness, Dad demonstrated humble grace and continued to be a gift of inspiration for what is possible in a human life.  Through Bruce, we have a known unconditional love. Words cannot express how much he is loved and will be missed. 

We are so very grateful for the considerate care of the nurses, staff, volunteers and residents of the Long Term and Palliative Care at the High River Hospital.  More important than anything else, we know that Dad was loved and our hearts are eased and blessed in this knowing.  Thank you for everything.

At our parents’ request, there will be no memorial gathering.  Please remember Dad in the ways that speak to and serve you. We are grateful to all who knew him for the important place you shared in his life. If you wish to view a slideshow tribute visit: https://youtu.be/LAPcU_1dRKg.