The following information was received from Chaplain Gerry McMillan. Toronto Division shares in the sadness of Bruce’s passing.
Dear Veteran’s,
Every year we have had the wonderful opportunity of attending the special Remembrance Day service at St. George’s Fair Valley in Oro-Medonte. Sam’s father Elmes Steele had the church built. When he was young Sam Steele attended the church. The Steele homestead (Purbrook) was located right across the road from the church. Over the years, right after the service RCMP Veterans and others were invited for a social time at Bruce and Jay Pearson’s home located nearby. Bruce Pearson (along with Murray Cayley) were instrumental in putting together a celebration day in 2000 paying tribute to the Lord Strathcona Regiment (Royal Canadians ) on their 100th Anniversary and Sir Samuel Steele it’s founder. Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police played a major part that day. Since that celebration Bruce has been instrumental in putting together a annual Remembrance Day service at St. George’s Fair Valley.
Sadly this past Friday Bruce Pearson passed away. He admired Sam Steele and wanted to keep his memory alive. He was a huge fan of the RCMP and it’s wonderful history. No doubt the Remembrance Day services will continue. The funeral service for Bruce is taking place this coming Thursday March 1 2018 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 28 Gray Street, Coldwater, Ontario. Visitation will take place at 1pm and the service at 2 pm. Members of the Grey and Simcoe Foresters will be in attendance in their uniforms, local dignitaries and others.. It would be wonderful having RCMP uniformed members and RCMP Veterans (in their reds) in the service. The service will be a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to a wonderful man who payed tribute to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Sir Samuel Benfield Steele. As a chaplain I will be there in attendance as well. Hope to see you there. Blessings.
RCMP CHAPLAIN GERRY MCMILLAN
(705) 329-0338 (RESIDENCE)
(705) 619-2444 (CELL)
Funeral Viewing
March 1st 2018
1:00 PM
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
28 Gray St, Coldwater, ON
Funeral Service
March 1st 2018
2:00 PM
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
28 Gray St, Coldwater, ON
B
Bruce Pearson’s obituary follows,
PEARSON, J. Bruce – Passed away at Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Orillia on Friday February 23, 2018, at the age of 86, of Fairvalley.
Beloved husband of Jocelyn.
Loving father of Tom (Melanie) of Chicago, Hugh (Lori) of Toronto, and Brian (Catherine) of Toronto.
Loved grandfather of Ian, Heather, Nicholas, Virginia, Jessica, David, and Samantha.
Will be missed by the Teare family.
Predeceased by his parents Evelyn and Harold Pearson and by his sister Nancy Holmes (January 2018).
Bruce was born and raised in Montreal, he attended Sedbergh School in Montebello, Qc, McGill and Western Universities. Early in his career he taught at the Ivey School of Business. Founding partner of May Pearson & Associates, a Toronto based consulting firm serving on many boards and consulting projects for 25 years.
Laterally he was chairman of the Blackburn Group in London, Ontario.
A lover of black labs, skiing, gardening, cutting wood, his farm, and Canadian and military history. In retirement winters spent in Sun City Centre, Florida enjoying golf.
Following cremation the family will honour his life with a visitation at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 28 Gray Street, Coldwater, on Thursday March 1st from 1pm until the time of the service of remembrance at 2pm.
As an expression of sympathy donations in memory of Bruce may be made to the Grey and Simcoe Foresters