We Remember
HENDERSON, Lionel Bruce
—
Passed away too soon on February 4th with his family by his side from complications related to his long battle with cancer. He was 65 years old.
He leaves his loving wife, Shirley, and two children: Christine (Byron) Gandy; Michelle (Brian) Brittain; three grandchildren: Morgan, Logan, Ella; his father, Jim Henderson of Kelowna, BC; his siblings: Kathie Henderson of Devon, Alberta; Douglas Henderson of Edmonton, Alberta; Margaret (Ahmed) Lamin of Tripoli, Libya; Elizabeth (Marv) Russell of Everett, Washington; Jamie Henderson (Warren LeBlanc) of Edmonton, Alberta; many nieces and nephews; extended ‘family’: Krista Robertson; Andrew Williams; Kusum Wijesekera; and many dear friends. Bruce is predeceased by his mother, Pam Henderson.
Bruce grew up in Redwater, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; and Devon, Alberta. In his youth, he enjoyed downhill and Nordic skiing, including ski jumping. He was an exceptional student with a passion for learning, which continued throughout his life.
After attending Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, BC, Bruce developed a love for scuba diving. He became a scuba instructor, which is how he met his future wife. They were happily married in 1974 and settled in Burnaby, BC. Together they had many adventures in the outdoors with sky diving, scuba diving and camping.
Bruce enjoyed his commercial diving career, and then moved into a Non-Destructive Testing profession. He was very proud of the projects he worked on and enjoyed the people he worked with.
After welcoming his two daughters, and moving to Tsawwassen, BC for a short period, the family established their home of 19 years in Burnaby. He enjoyed many activities with his family including car mechanics, archery, home improvements and sharing his knowledge and expertise. Bruce and Shirley moved to Kelowna in 2003, enjoying the Okanagan’s slower pace and sunny weather.
Bruce had many passions including hunting, watching sporting events, and a non-stop love of learning. Over the years, Bruce also volunteered in the RCMP Auxiliary and served as a Trustee for two unions.
We are grateful to each and every one who caringly supported Bruce during his journey with cancer, with special thanks to Dr. Wendy Wickstrom, Dr. Rosalie Swart and Dr. Lloyd Mack. His wisdom, guidance, pragmatic approach to life and love will be deeply missed. As requested, there will be no service. The family is holding a memorial tea in both Kelowna and Burnaby; please contact 604-813-2587 for further details.
Should family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Cancer Centre for the Southern Interior or the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
As requested, there will be no service.
Location
The family is holding a memorial tea in both Kelowna and Burnaby; please contact 604-813-2587 for further details.
Share with Others:
Cancer Centre for the Southern Interior or the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.
Service Information
Service Details
The service for HENDERSON, Lionel Bruce is scheduled for As requested, there will be no service. . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
The family is holding a memorial tea in both Kelowna and Burnaby; please contact 604-813-2587 for further details.
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Thank you to my big brother, who lived, laughed and loved his family with utter disregard for pain and sadness as he lived his last days. I will greet you with love and joy when I get to the other side, Bruce.
Christine ,we are thinking of you and know you will miss your dad. May good memories fill your heart with a smile, and may God’s future promises fill your heart with hope ,comfort and joy.
My heart goes out to you and your family,Christine. I know how hard it is to lose someone who means so much to you. You had a special relationship with your Dad and I know he appreciated all you did for him and with him the last few months. It will be for only a short time that he will be asleep and then you will have much to enjoy with him in a world without tears. Revelation 21:4. Thinking of you with deepest sympathy and love.
To my big brother, Bruce, or Boo Boo.
He never said that he didn’t like it, so for 50 years I had called him that.I was so happy to have the chance to see you again, to talk to you one more time.
Absolutely priceless.
Although we were born many years apart, there has been one memory of our younger years that really stick out in my mind. I must have been 6-7 years old, Mom and Dad were in either Hawaii or Mexico, someone had decided to have a party, I couldn’t/wouldn’t sleep because of the spiders that I was so afraid. You came into the back bedroom, told me not to be afraid after all the spider’s wouldn’t hurt me, they were all frozen. It must have worked, cause I remember closing my eyes and sleeping.
When you get to where you are going, don’t forget to hug Mom from me and don’t let her boss you around 🙂
I Love you my brother.
Bye bye Boo boo
To the Henderson Family ,
We are truly sorry for your loss !!! Even though we only met Bruce once , we can see why you will miss him greatly !!! He had a kindnesses about him that made you feel at ease and he spoke from the heart 🙂 we wish we knew your family better Christine so we could be more support to you all but seeing the wonderful daughter and person you are says volumes about your parents , they certainly raised a very special person. Sending our love and sympathies to you and your family , The Hein’s
Shirley and family, Uncle Jim, Kathie, Douglas,Margaret, Elizabeth, Jamie and extended families, sincerest sympathies in Bruce’s passage…he has been a true inspiration in his valiant battle against a formidable foe and as difficult it is to let him go we have the assurance that he is now in a better place where there are notears and no more pain. Bon Voyage Cousin…you have definitely earned your reward…have many memories of when we spent summer times together when we were younger…Rest In Peace and we’ll all be re-united on the otherside of the bar…What a glorious day that will be for all of us…Thank God we have that eternal hope…Love to you all…Love Jim and Gerry, Auntie Helen, Betty, Linda and Georgina and families
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your loved one. May the support and comfort of family and friends help you all through this sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely, Vic & Bernice Sapach
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your loved one. May the support and comfort of family and friends help you through this sad and difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerely, Vic & Bernice Sapach
Shirley, Christine, Michelle and family, my sincerest condolences on your loss. Though it has been many years since I last saw Bruce, I will always treasure the memories of those big holiday dinners in Devon and the occasional trips to Kelowna. May you find comfort in the support of family and friends during this difficult time.
GOIN MISS SEEIN YOU COME IN FOR YOUR BUZZCUTS, SEE YOU UP THERE LATER
Dear Shirley and family,
Although we never had the pleasure of meeting Bruce, we are very sorry to hear of his passing.
Our thoughts are with you all at this very sad time.
Deepest sympathy
Maree and Jim Hinde
We are sorry to hear about Bruce’s passing.
I do know that is is hard to understand how the world carries on with their lives while yours comes to a halt. No one understands the pain that you all feel. It is your pain. Be kind to yourselves and support one another. Cry when you need to but also remember it is ok to laugh Bruce would want that.
Our thoughts are with you and arms are around you.
Love Janice, Melissa and Spencer
On behalf of the Quality Control Council of Canada, and Bruce’s Pacific Region reps, we want to send our condolences to Bruce’s wife and family. Bruce was an experienced and accomplished technician, a committed Union member and supporter, and volunteered his time and energy as a Trustee on our Retirement Benefit Plan. All of this led to advancements in his trade, his Union, and the quality of life for the retirees who have worked in his field. Our thoughts are with you all. Fraternally, Rob Kappel and Borys Lessy,
I am really sorry to hear that Bruce had passed away. My deepest condolences to the Henderson family. I first met Bruce in Fall 2013 at the job site when I just started working for Cantech. It was my first exposure to non-aviation ultrasonic testings and I was really lucky that Bruce was there on my side. For the following two weeks, he was much more than a great mentor, friend, and colleague. I only wish I could be able do the same to other young technicians if I ever had a chance. I am terribly sorry that I would never be able to see him again.
Thank you, Bruce. May you rest in peace.
I raised a glass when I was told of your passing I will miss you. it is always sad when a friend and union brother is taken far too soon … ill miss you Bruce and I hope we will see each other again.. Not too soon I hope. (wink)
It is september 18, 2018, and i just now became aware of Bruce,s passing. BRUCE AND I WORKED TOGETHER AS DIVERS AND CARPENTERS. Bruce was a person that would drop everything if you needed help. Bruce, Dick Coates and myself sometime others, would go hunting in the Kootenays. Some of the best of tmes happened on these fall excurisons.
I will miss you, Bruce.
Condolences to Shirley, Christine and Michelle.
Hello Bob – we tried to get ahold of you when Bruce passed away but we couldnt seem to locate you…please send me a message to my email sihenderson@shaw.ca..hopefully you will see this message and respond…Dick Coates passed away from cancer as well in January 2016.
Thank you for your message and happy that you did finally find out about Bruce.
Love Shirley