Bruno Viktor Westerlund

WESTERLUND, Bruno Viktor passed away peacefully on August 29, 2024 at age 92 years surrounded by family after an extended stay at Vancouver General Hospital. Born in New Westminster, Bruno was the eldest child of (Fred) Viktor and Signe (nee Thors); he was predeceased by infant daughter Jennifer (d.1968), wife Nancy (d.2013), brother Lloyd (d.1984) and sister Mildred Verheul (d.2016). Bruno will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his daughter Mariann, and extended family in B.C., WA, OR, and Ostrobothnia region of Finland.

Bruno graduated from Duke of Connaught High School (class of 1950) in New Westminster. In 1952, he enrolled at UBC and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree (class of 1956). While attending UBC he met Nancy Underhill, whom he married in June 1957.

Bruno articled with Clarkson Gordon & Co. in Vancouver. In 1959, he was admitted to The Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia and began his accounting career with Hume & Rumble Construction Ltd. As Comptroller, he made frequent trips to West Africa in 1970 and 1971 to oversee project financing contracts for the construction of the Ghana–Togo– Dahomey transmission line project. In 1968, Bruno was accepted into the inaugural class of Canada’s first Executive MBA program at Simon Fraser University and was awarded Master of Business Administration in 1972.

Bruno moved into public sector accounting in 1972 when he joined Revenue Canada as a Basic File Auditor. During his 26 years of service, he progressed to the level of Large File Case Manager (Group Head) overseeing teams auditing BC’s largest telecommunications, forestry, mining and energy sector companies.

Bruno will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, sense of humour, respectful nature, and his disciplined, analytical and pragmatic approach to auditing, leadership and team mentoring. Bruno was well read and passionate about accounting and income tax case law, investing, classical music, travel, family genealogy and gardening. He could often be spotted in Kerrisdale on his daily walk for early morning coffee with his friends until age 90.

Bruno was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Westminster. A Lutheran Service of Memorial will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Forest Lawn Cemetery Chapel, Burnaby, BC. Private inurnment will be held separately.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation in memory of Bruno at join.vghfoundation.ca/westerlund or by cheque made out to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, #190-855 W. 12th Ave, Vancouver, V5Z 1M9.

Heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dr. Mark Fok and Dr. Philip Hache for the exceptional care and attention that Bruno received from the staff and allied health team professionals at the Orthopaedic & Trauma unit at Vancouver General Hospital.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home (604) 299 7720