Contributions to the tribute of Bruce Richard Searle

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Marg posted a condolence

Thursday, October 31, 2024

A donation is being made to the Alzheimer’s Society in remembrance of Bruce by Tony, Suzanne, Tristan, and Matthew Searle, Scott Searle, Erin Searle and Brent Closs, Marg and Ilon Bergshoeff. “When you have grown old, And you path on earth is trod, May your name in gold be written, In the autograph book of God.”

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Tony Searle posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Written words are not my thing. I first learned to express myself through visual art. Let me see if today I can paint a picture in this alien media to help remember my father. Here goes nothing. I am not sure there are enough words to help describe a man whose life touched so many peoples lives and enriched them; who literally makes up half of my physical being and helped guide me into who I am today. Dad was not the loudest character in my life but he was constant steady voice for over 50 years. I think we were very different in some ways but we still had a healthy relationship. Dad was Athletic. I am not. Scott got that gift from Dad; not me. Dad still volunteered to coach the soccer team so I could get the last remaining badge I had not earned in cubs - The Team Player badge. Yes I remember watching the team of boys listen and respond to my father "the coach" and achieve things on the field I could not match nor interested my very much. But what I remember most from that summer playing soccer was when there was an unusual severe injury to our keeper. It was my father who didn't freeze, who remained calm amongst all the grown ups, who quietly took charge and rendered first aid. He wasn't loud or flashy. He didn't ask for thanks. He just made a difference. I might not have understood it that day but it definitely changed my understanding of who my father was and what it meant to be a leader. I would see these small acts of quiet leadership from him over an over again in my youth. It had a profound influence on me. I know when there is chaos erupting around me that the ability I have to function and help others comes from my Dad and what he taught me. Dad could talk to anybody. I still struggle talking to people I have not known for long time (Great for a Privacy Officer but hard for the human being). A lot of my earliest memories are of Canadian politics but not what you see in the news. I remember my dad running for MP and being with him campaigning door to door. He would walk up to complete strangers and just start chatting with them. I remember how people responded to him. I remember a lot of them saying "I would vote for you Bruce if you were running for any other Party" I was amazed how he could just strike up a conversation with just anyone with no fear. I still haven't mastered this fear but I am getting better at talking to people Dad. I also remember folding thousands of campaign leaflets and delivering them to neighbors doors. One of my favourites memories came from later elections sitting the the attic of a barn silk screening the large election signs with my dad. Or on Election night getting the phone calls into campaign head quarters with the poll results and getting to colour in the precincts on the map to indicate how the vote went. Or when my Dad and I would collect the election signs the next day after the election to ensure we followed the law. All of this taught me a few things more things about life. I saw examples of how to loose with Grace. How to be engaged with community. How we have a responsibility to those around us. And how to see things through to the end. Dad was kind and volunteered his time. My father volunteered his weekends for Recycling before Recycling was a thing. Even as a Scout I remember the Paper Drives where we collected newspaper for recycling to help raise money for Scouts Canada. Standing on a mountain of newsprint in a dumpster cutting and removing the bundle ties - who knew that could be so much fun? My father also volunteered his time to help physically challenged children with Physio Therapy. From this I remember my Dad teaching me life is already harder for people with physical challenges so we should be kind and make it a little bit easier for them when we can. Sounds small but it was profound. I have really tried to put myself in another's position to understand for all people I encounter. Dad loved Nature and being outside. How many people do you know that grew up with a pet raccoon? My favourite memory of dad is the two of us sitting in a canoe at the crack of dawn in the middle of Algonquin Park. No talking. The smell of clean air in the cool chill of the predawn morning. Just the sounds of a loon cutting across the lake and quick hiss of a lure and a fishing line being cast out into the lake. The plop as the lure drops into the lake. The slow clicking as that line is reeled slowly back in. Dad was always there. ... "SugarFritz" (If you know you know). There is so much more to say but I have already written an essay it seems. ... I love you Daddy. Thank you for making a difference in MY life.

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Erin posted a condolence

Monday, October 28, 2024

Dad, you are now reunited with Uncle Hughie, and Uncle Bob, getting up to all kinds of fun, mischief and trouble I expect.... Rest in Peace.

Bruce Richard Searle

1943 - 2024

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