Bernard Gilbert Brule

Born: April 9,1932, Ottawa, Ontario

Died: July 5, 2026, Toronto, Ontario

Bernard Gilbert Brulé.

Bernard is predeceased by his loving wife Doreen Joyce Brulé (née Hutchinson) of 70 years, as well as his sister Lorraine, and brothers Edouard, Camille, Gerry, and Marcel. He will be sadly missed by his children Kim Brulé, Dawn Brulé (Dave Johnston), Wendy Brulé (Andrew McClelland) and David Brulé (Sherri Klassen). Bernard’s grandchildren, Emma Klassen-Brulé, Erik Goddard (Billie Dawn Hewitt), Rhylae LaBrec (Clay LaBrec), Bridget Klassen-Brulé, Jack McClelland (Naomi Trott) and Bernadette McClelland (Zach Fickenworth) share in this loss. So, too, do his lovely great granddaughters: Kinsley, Skylar and Payton Goddard. Also, his sisters-in-law: Jean Mennie (James Mennie), Shirley Ratcliff (Bob Ratcliff) and the many nieces, and nephews.

Bernard grew up in the Ottawa area and from an early age embodied the values of respect, kindness and fidelity to family. Known for his generosity of spirit, he began work at an early age, dutifully delivering newspapers and bringing all his money to his mother to help the family through the meagre times of the 1940’s. At age 18, he joined the Governor General's Foot Guards and eventually the 30th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery (M). He served as the Commanding Officer of the 30th Field from 1972 to 1975. Following his command, he took on leadership roles at a national level, serving as the President of the Royal Canadian Artillery Association (RCAA) during the 1976–1977 term, and then volunteered as treasurer for many years as well as contributing to the archival work for the Artillery Association. Upon moving to Toronto in 2011, he volunteered with the Toronto Council on Aging and presided over family bridge games for many years. Bern’s career in the Canadian federal civil service literally spanned from the Arctic Circle to the Great Lake waters. He began working at the Dominion Observatory soon after high school. Starting in 1960, Bern was frequently posted to the Canadian Arctic, mapping gravity fields for months at a time. In 1965, he left the Arctic, returned to Ottawa and worked in several federal ministries, with the final 15 years at Environment Canada, where he was core to the team negotiating cross border water policy with the United States, including the 1987 amendment of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. In the early 1950’s he met and married his lifelong partner, Doreen. They grew their family on Henley Street in Ottawa, where friendships were forged over coffee and bridge games. Upon retirement, he and Doreen traveled extensively, were doting grandparents to their 6 grandchildren, and settled into routine summers at the cottage at Lac Dôle. Bernard could always be counted on to play an exceptional hand of bridge, man the grill, and engage his guests in wonderful stories.

His family would like to thank the staff at the Don Mills retirement residence, the medical staff at North York General Hospital acute care unit and The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre, especially Dr A. Rosenblum, and Ma. Quennie Kate Romero for their care over the past six weeks.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Details regarding the time and location will be shared once arrangements are finalized.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly invites memorial contributions to the Bytown Gunners Order Fund (www.ocf-fco.ca/funds/bytown-gunners-order-fund/) and/or Diabetes Canada

(www.diabetes.ca).