William "Bronco" Moncrief

Our Dad/Papa has been talking about joining wife Kay (and son Eddy) for quite some time now.

It is a huge loss for our family and the Cumberland Community.

Bronco was born in Cumberland, England travelling by steamer as a toddler to Cumberland, BC, Canada, where he lived out his life.

From the stories he told, he was a very active camp kid!

His nickname came from the Bronco Billy comic strip in the newspapers he delivered to Comox Lake. A customer dubbed him “Bronco” and it stuck.

True to his Cumberland heritage, he became a miner, working on the #8 mine picking table at 14 years old. He then went to Comox Logging and forged lifelong friendships and a love for the woods, and cutting firewood. He then went to work for CCTV and was a pioneer in the Canadian Cable Industry. Dad was great with numbers he was a self-taught engineer. He designed and built a Parabolic Antenna, so customers could receive more channels.

Dad was smart. He could problem solve and fix anything he put his mind to.

He was a boat builder. Most winters he would build one in our basement for family or friends.

Dad was a great carpenter. He built 2 houses for his family and helped Ed build 3 of his own. If he saw a friend or neighbour in the middle of a build or re-roof he was there to lend a hand.

Dad would drive around town just checking things out. I remember on one of his drive abouts, he caught the end of a bank robbery and tailed the robbers in his truck till police arrived.

When dad was young he spent most of his relaxing time up the lake. He and his friends would row up to the top end, stay over, then row home the next day.

He spent many days with the Williams family at their Cruickshank cabin. When we came along we also joined in. Dad taught us to appreciated nature, the outdoors and enjoy its bounty. He was a hunter/gatherer. In whatever the season, whether it would be fish, deer, grouse, blackberries or chanterelles. Sharing his knowledge with his kids, their cousins and others.

Dad has left all of our family with his wonderful cabin, which is appreciated by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Teaching them to love and care for it as he and Kay had.

Bronco and Kay married in 1953 and started his family right away, Julie then Eddy.

Bronco and Kay were great parents and made a great team. They were great citizens of Cumberland and the ultimate volunteers, their whole lives. They were active in the Rod & Gun Club, Empire Days Committee, Economic Development, Cumberland Hospital Board to name a few.

Politics beckoned and Bronco built his second house in Cumberland so he could run for Alderman. Then eventually becoming the Mayor, for over 30 years.

He was a forward thinker. He fought to keep the hospital, schools and rebuild his precious water system. He did everything he could for the benefit of our town and the whole Comox Valley.

He met so many people through; politics, clubs & committees. Many became good friends. He outlived many which became very hard for him, ‘why them and not me!’

He has also received many awards for his service and volunteerism, to just name a few:

- The Order of the Rising Sun – Japan’s second highest honour.

- The BC Community Achievement Award

- Freeman of the Village

Bronco was predeceased; by his parents Ethel and William, brothers; Harry and Tommy, many aunts, uncles and friends, wife Kay, son Eddy, grandson Stephen and nephew Sandy.

He is survived by; his daughter Julie/Mike, granddaughter Corinne/Mike, great grandchildren Liam and Ellie, daughter-in-law Greba, grandchildren; Andrew, Stuart and Sydney/Steve, sister Margret/Rino and family, sister Kathy/Blaine and family.

No matter how many fights with the government both Provincially or Federally for the betterment for Cumberland and the Valley, Bronco’s biggest fight would be surviving and existing, after his stroke. He remained as independent as he could until the end. He was a walking history book. The stroke locked it away. Our loss!

Well we hope and pray Mom & Dad are together again, safe and at peace.

Thanks to Glacier View Lodge Staff for all your amazing care over the last 5 years. He loved you all!

Thanks to all his friends and ours for your support, those alive & those gone. God Bless!

There is no service by Dad’s request. A private family gathering will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Cumberland Forest Society. https://www.cumberlandforest.com/in-honour-of-bronco/ or Cumberland Community Forest Society, Box 1239, Cumberland, BC V0R1S0