We Remember
MARGETTS, Bruce Wayne
January 28, 1947 — March 30, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the loss of Bruce Wayne Margetts, who passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025, at the age of 78.
Left to hold him dear to their hearts are those he loved most, including his wife, Lorna Margetts, who stood by his side for 62 years — 58 of them as his loving and devoted partner in marriage; children Julie (Zane) and Ken (Carmen); grandchildren Marissa (Kelly), David, Amanda (Cody), Stephanie (Travis), Kathryn, Richard (Kassy), and Jesse; great-grandchildren Leiah-Dawn, Jackson, Hadley, Sam, Adelyn, and Audrey; sister-in-law Pat (Earl); as well as many extended family members and friends.
Bruce now goes to join his parents Horace and Georgina Margetts; and siblings Dorothy and Doreen, who passed before him.
Bruce was born in Manor, Saskatchewan into a strong and loving family, and was the 2nd youngest of 10 kids. The family moved to Pierceland, Saskatchewan where he started school and a few years later the family moved to Grande Centre, Alberta where his father got a job helping build the Cold Lake Air Force base.
In 1961, Lorna’s father was posted to the Air Base, and she met a girl named Bev who invited Lorna to her home to meet her parents. As they entered the kitchen, Bruce was sitting at the kitchen table eating a big bowl of peaches. It was love at first sight for them both, but at age 14 they were both painfully shy and didn’t actually start dating until age 16 when Bruce gave Lorna a promise ring.They were inseparable from that time on.
They moved to Kelowna, BC and were married in 1967 with Bruce being 20 and Lorna 19 years old. The two welcomed their daughter, Julie in 1967 and son, Ken in 1969.
Bruce went to trade school and completed his mechanics course, followed by an apprenticeship at Victory Motors (now Kelowna Chevrolet). When Canadian Fiberform opened a boat manufacturing plant in Westbank, Bruce switched his career for a better opportunity.
When the plant burnt down, his manager, Al Beaulieu hired the 5 lead hands to start up Campion Boats where Bruce worked from 1973 to 1982, working his way from the shop floor to Production Manager. In 1982, he started his own fiberglass shop specializing in major boat repairs and extensive reconstruction and restoration of boats, wet bikes, snowmobiles, etc. and the repair of truck booms for Fortis BC. Margetts Fiberglass Repair and Bruce soon became the most sought after fiberglass repair company in BC, with customers coming from as far as Quebec to have their boats repaired.
After 24 years, he sold the business and retired, but soon found himself bored and worked several more years with Rayburns Marine and was involved in the manufacture of an offshore race boat (Vector Power Boats).
He finally retired, giving him time to work on his own projects and travel. He and Lorna enjoyed travelling to Mexico, Disneyland, and California as well as a couple of cruises. His most recent trip was to New Zealand with Lorna, his daughter Julie and son-in-law, Zane to visit his eldest grandson, David.
Life wasn’t all about work, Bruce loved camping and fishing with his family, loved hockey and faithfully cheered for the Canucks every year. He loved restoring old vehicles, most notably numerous 1955 Chevys, a 1965 El Camino, and a 1967 Chev C-10, showing them at local car shows.
Bruce took every opportunity to spend time with the love of his life, Lorna, and his beloved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He often said that one of the best things in life was a cold beer on a hot day, hanging out in his son’s shop with hot rods and race cars.
A Memorial Service will be held on TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM, located at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC, with Kim Bergstrom officiating.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Service
TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM
Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC
I loved Bruce(dad). He always had a smile when I saw him. Always had the kindest heart. You will be dearly missed. Sleep in Peace 🙏🏽 Sending love and prayers to his family and friends. I am proud to have known you for many years ❤️
Margett family, so sad to hear of Bruce’s passing. I always enjoyed seeing Bruce’s smile and hearing his latest stories when he came into Campion Marine to help us, usually with his vast fiberglass knowledge and exceptional skills
Bruce was always positive and uplifting. A true pleasure to have known him and learned from him.
Blessings
Brock Elliott
Past President, Campion Marine Inc
Bruce Margetts was an inspiration and a role model for me growing up. According to my dad Al Beaulieu, Bruce was one of only a few key players that made all the difference at Campion Boats, which grew to become Canada’s largest pleasure boat manufacturer. Bruce was always at work early, full of energy, and ready to impart “the positive” on the usually difficult work at hand. He had a pleasant but commanding presence on both the plant floor and among our extensive dealer network Canada-wide, and was the one person my dad carefully selected to establish Campion Inc; Campion Boats U.S. subsidiary, with a factory and distribution centre that Bruce started and ran in Moses Lake WA. After Campion my dad always stayed in touch with Bruce, and often reflected back on his extraordinary talents as a leader of men, but also on his personal friendship with Bruce. He always knew that first and foremost Bruce was an absolutely dedicated and loving husband to Lorna, and father to their kids Julie and Ken.
And oh by the way, Dad (…and I!) were very happy when Bruce took on restoration of what we had affectionally called “Old Blue”; a 1967 Chevy C-10 pickup truck, which had fallen into disuse due to my deployment to Japan. Bruce expertly transformed “Old Blue” back into the truck she had once been and much more!
I’ll miss Bruce, knowing that he no longer walks among us, but at the same time, I take great comfort knowing that he now sits at God’s side; probably the first-in, each morning, looking out for those among us still earth bound, that knew his friendship and love.
Mike Beaulieu
CAPT. USN (Ret)
Seabeck, WA
Although I didn’t know uncle Bruce well, I will always remember his smile and his laugh! My condolences to Auntie Lorna and all of his family! He will be forever in my heart!!!!