Ian Bruce

Ian Donald Bruce passed away on October 16, 2023 in a tragic accident at the family cottage at Lake of the Woods. Ian lost his life at his favourite place in the world, after spending five glorious fall days there with his wife Darlene.

Ian was born in Atikokan, Ontario on April 10, 1953. He moved to Kenora, Ontario, as a child in 1963. That was the beginning of his love affair with boats and with Lake of the Woods. He was piloting his first boat by age eleven and loved to tell the story of building a sketchy raft with a group of his friends, all of whom were preteens, and floating down the lake on an overnight adventure. From there he progressed to crewing in sailing competitions, rowing at Queen's University and, more recently, sailing trips with Calgary friends.

Ian loved working with his hands. He had an extensive tool collection and was always chatting with, and learning from, all the talented tradesmen who helped out at the cottage and the Calgary home. An accomplished woodworker, he built a stunning cedar strip kayak and a hydroplane which he outfitted with a vintage motor. His ultimate pride and joy was his 1936 Ditchburn boat. By the summer of 2023, he had accumulated eight boats and numerous antique boat motors, and was being "encouraged" to part with a few.

After graduating with an undergraduate degree in science from Queens and an MBA from Western, Ian went on to lead a highly distinguished career in finance and investment banking. After long service at senior levels with the predecessor firms of RBC Capital Markets and Scotia Capital Inc., Ian joined Peters & Co. Limited in 1998, initially as Vice Chairman of the firm. He became President & Chief Executive Officer of the firm in 2001, and retired from Peters & Co. in 2011, as its Co-Chairman. The many corporate clients whom Ian served saw him as a highly valued and consistently well-grounded source of impartial advice, always delivered with humanity and appropriate humour.

Ian then built a new, second career as a board director and board Chair, serving a number of companies extraordinarily well over the past dozen years. His various roles included, among others, serving as the respected Chair of two important Canadian companies, Cameco Corporation and MEG Energy Corp. He was also the chair of Calgary startup, QUBE Technologies.

Ian always believed in giving back to his community and beyond. He loved the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, where he served as a long-time director and then as Chair of the board. Ian was a very important spark to the evolution of the Hospital’s Foundation over many years. He also served the industry in which he worked, including as a director and then as Chair of the Investment Industry Association of Canada. In recent years, Ian served our city as a board director of the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, which has spurred significant new investment and employment in Calgary. As recognition for his service to others, Ian was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals and was named a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants.

Family holidays in the Bruce family were educational and adventurous. Three highlights were walking by flowing lava on the Big Island, leafcutter ants in Costa Rica, and a boat trip through the Galápagos islands. In September, in honour of his seventieth birthday, Ian and Darlene travelled to Finland, from which his mother's side of the family had its origins. His Finnish roots were a big part of who he was - saunas were an almost daily occurrence at the lake, even in the middle of winter.

Ian had a quick and curious mind and loved a challenge; he couldn't see a problem and not try to solve it. He was very widely-read, with a particular interest in history. Ian loved to talk about his numerous interests. At times he may have left people with their eyes glazed over, but that was Ian. Most of all Ian was a kind, knowledgeable and humble man with a great sense of humour. He was honest and showed respect to everyone, and he was respected in return.

Ian leaves behind his wife Darlene, his daughter Allison, his sons Eric and Rob, as well as Eric’s wife Cande, and children Nico and Vicky. He was predeceased by his parents, Verna and Don, his sister Lynda, his sisters-in-law Patricia and Evelyn and brother-in-law Greg. He leaves behind his sisters Kathy (Jim) and Liz (Gregg) and their families, as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law and their families in Darlene’s large family. All of us will miss him dearly. Ian also leaves behind a wide circle of friends dating from childhood, whom he treasured. He was a keen skier and enjoyed many years of cat skiing at Chatter Creek with friends and family. He would have been humbled by the kind words, shock, and heartfelt outpouring of support that met the announcement of his accidental death.

The family would like to thank all of those friends and family who helped out in Kenora and in Calgary, and who continue to help out, as we figure out how to go forward without our remarkable Ian.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Calgary Golf and Country Club on Friday November 24, 2023 from 2:30 to 5 PM.

In lieu of flowers, and if so desired, please consider a donation in Ian's honour to the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, AB. T3B 6A8, Telephone: (403) 955-8818, or online at Ian D. Bruce Memorial Donations Please indicate that your gift is in tribute to Ian.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Bruce family.