Mr Murray Bruce Dewhirst

As many of you here may know my grandfather was a man full of pride for those he loved and as a result I’m sure you have most likely heard from him many times about my time as an exchange student or my time in Japan. Or maybe it was about my parents building their new place or my sister’s new place. At the same time you’ve heard stories about us, I have most likely heard stories about everyone in this room today. He had an incredible memory and knew so many people especially from his years of teaching and past exchange students. Those stories were just one part that made up my grandfather. Although he didn’t always pick the best timing and place to tell his stories, he told them nevertheless. For this I am proud of him for his ability to speak to anyone.

My grandfather is the person I am to be like in the future, or at least parts of him I’d like to be like.

One way was his ability and determination to help others. Grandpa drove clients for the Red Cross, The White Cane Society and the Cancer Society. He loved doing that! Don’t even get me started on how it affected him when he lost his licence. He always had hope that he was getting it back right up until the end. He volunteered at the church. He embodied the Rotary moniker of “Service above Self” in the vast majority of his actions. Because of him I hope to be involved in Rotary in the future as well as other organizations or do work that will help as many as he has through his time in Rotary. For this I am proud and will strive to be like him as I move forward in my life.

My grandfather has always played a big role in my life. He has been watching over my sister and I for many years. We were fortunate enough to attend Prince Charles Public School where he was he principal many years before. Every day when we walked down the halls, he was there. Obviously not in person but on the walls in the graduation pictures of previous classes. And his picture that hung by the office. You knew that he had left an intact on those kids just as he did to us.

It was because of grandpa that I became a Rotary Youth Exchange student. He always made it sound like it was such a great experience. One that I had to see for myself. He was right. Because of his encouragement I was able to spend a year in Bolivia. It was an experience that changed me and my path in life. Thank you grandpa.

I know there is much more I could say but I wish to leave it here as not to be like grandpa and tell a story that goes on for three hours! Though I will actually miss the stories in the future, I will hold those which he has told me in my heart and live my life as to make him proud as he is watching from heaven and telling everyone in the grocery store in heaven updates on my life.

Thank you all again for being here with us today and remembering a special man. A man that was my hero. My grandfather, Bruce.

Eulogy by Dave Seabrook

Sometimes God has a way of bringing people into our lives that changes and shapes us into a better character. Bruce was one of those individuals who in his kind of peaceful way would solve the problem or share some advice that could.

For those who may not know me, I’m Dave Seabrook a fellow Rotarian who had the pleasure of working with Bruce in the world of Rotary for the past 40 years.

I first got to know Bruce at a Rotary meeting shortly after I joined the Sault North Rotary Club in 1980. John Roberts was my sponsor and Bruce welcomed me into the club. At that time we were meeting at the Purple Lantern Restaurant in the banquet room. Bruce used to sit at a table of a lot of the original charter members and every once in a while I would get a chance to sit with them. We called it the Table of Wisdom.

Bruce was one of the original 24 charter members who formed the Sault Ste. Marie North Rotary club in 1971 and was the only existing club member until his passing last Wednesday.

Bruce was a very active club member. As long as I can remember, Bruce was involved with all the various activities of the club. He was instrumental in establishing the infamous Rotary Car Rally where more people got lot than to to the end.

Bruce served our club as secretary for 6 years at which time we had what was known as the Sweetheart Draw. We sold tickets on a restored automobile and drew the winner for Valentines Day. Bruce oversaw this for many years and was viewed as a great fund raiser.

In 1977 Bruce was recognized for his devotion to Rotary as being our very first Rotarian of the Year (no surprise).

In 1981 to 1982 Bruce led our club as President. We wondered where he was for the first 2 months, for the month of July he attended summer school and then left the country for Brazil to visit with the Borges family which Bruce and Marion had hosted their daughter earlier that year.

As a school principal Bruce had a passion to work with the youth and was very instrumental in establishing the Youth Exchange program in our Club and the District as well. Bruce chaired the Youth Exchange program of the district for many years and as a result came to know many young people who passed through the program.

Every year there are many conferences that require the involvement of many Rotarians across the district to prepare and mentor these selected young exchange students as they prepare to live in a foreign country.

Bruce was the Rotarian, for so many years, in giving leadership and being the “go to” person in District 6290 and even beyond, as many districts hold a joint annual meeting of all youth exchange once a year. I was always impressed as we attended different functions that former exchange students would come up to Bruce and say thank you for being there for me. Bruce would know their name, where they went and what year they were out.

In 1992 to 1993 Bruce served our district as District Governor. What a year that was! The Rotary International President that year was Clifford Doctramann. His theme that year was “Real Happiness in helping others”. There was no better theme than that because that’s where Bruce was happiest, when he was serving others.

The District Conference was held in the Sault that year and Bruce’s theme for the conference was “we are going to knock their socks off”, and we did!

The Rotary International President’s rep was Bill Huntley and his wife. Bruce and Marion had the pleasure of hosting them and enjoyed the opportunity to get to know them. Our own Roberta Bondar was the keynote speaker and had just completed her journey as the first woman astronaut in space.

Rotary sponsors Ambassadorial Scholarships, offering a year of study in another country to post graduate students. Bruce was the key to the selection process for these young people for the district for many years. We used to travel down to Big Rapids to do those interviews.

47 years of perfect attendance. A record that is not equalled in our club, in the District or in the world for that matter. Bruce set a Rotary record!!

Bruce was very passionate about the need to support the Rotary Foundation. Bruce’s dedication to The Rotary Foundation was seen in his ability to present 25 Paul Harris, recognition to those he felt served to make our community and world a better place. In 2008 Bruce reached the plateau of a level 1 donor and was currently just shy of his level 2 recognition. He was a Paul Harris society member since 2013 and a monthly Rotary direct contributor. He continually inspired us and encouraged us to give to the Rotary Foundation.

In 2001 as the Districts were looking for nominees for the District Governor position of 2004 to 2005 Bruce approached me and asked me to consider running. Shortly after Bruce came to me with the nomination forms all filled out. Just sign here he said. I went through the interviews in Cadillac, Michigan and was chosen as what we now know as the Centennial Governor for our district. What a year! I will be forever grateful for Bruce’s encouragement and guidance as he was so capable of doing as I prepared and proceeded through my year as Governor.

I have just touched on a few of Bruce’s accomplishments.

In the 5th Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, in a passage of scripture known as The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said to the people, You are the salt of the earth, You are the light to the world. Each one of us have that opportunity to live and share that love that is available to each one of us through the relationship with a God that loves us. In the many years of God’s blessing on Bruce’s life, even though he had some health issues, Bruce never stopped being the Salt and Light to the world around him.

Bruce set an example for us to follow. For that we will ever be grateful.

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DEWHIRST, Bruce – Passed away peacefully with family by his side on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at the age of 85.

Beloved husband of Marion for 60 years. Loving father of Ellen Dewhirst and Nancy Robb (Paul). Proud Grandpa of Amanda Hayes (Brandon) and Michael Robb currently in Japan. Dear brother of Carl (Cathy), late Maxine Cheverie (late Jim), Ruth Nestman (Paul), Donna Oriet (Fred), Roy (Joan), Ron (Connie), Al, late Paul (Gwen), late Barbara and his sister-in-law Cheryl. Predeceased by his parents Murray and Bessie Dewhirst. Predeceased by his brother-in-law Ross Dunn (late Donna). Bruce will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Friends are invited to visit at St. Andrew’s United Church (712 Wellington St. East) on Monday, January 14, 2019 from 10:45 am until 12:45 pm. Service to take place at 1 pm with Rev. Eun-Joo Park officiating. Bruce was an active and dedicated charter member of the Rotary Club SSM North and long standing member of St. Andrew’s United Church. The family would appreciate memorial contributions payable by cheque to the Rotary Foundation or St. Andrew’s United Church. (Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel – 492 Wellington St. East 705-759-2522).