Bruce Neill

Bruce was born on November 10th, 1952 to Delbert (Harold) Neill and Edna (Mae) Somers in Winnipeg, MB. He enjoyed a lively childhood growing up in a “busy household” with his four siblings: Lynda, Kathy, Doug and Ken. After graduating from Transcona Collegiate, he went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree and a PhD in Entomology from the University of Manitoba. During these years, he met and married his first wife Claire Peters in Winnipeg on June 21, 1975, and the couple moved to Indian Head for Bruce’s work in December of 1977. During their 24 years of marriage, they had two children, a son, Richard and daughter, Erin.

Bruce had accepted a position as an Entomologist and Head of the Investigation Section at the federal PFRA Tree Nursery (later known as Agroforestry Development Centre within the Agri-Environment Services Branch) in Indian Head. He found great meaning in his work and spent his entire career of 33 years at the Centre. Bruce retired as the manager in 2011.

A new chapter of life started for Bruce when he met his soulmate and partner Laura Poppy in 2001. These two peas in a pod were married on May 12th, 2007. They shared many of the same passions and hobbies and the main ones being nature conservation, community service, playing drums and travelling nationally and internationally with the RCMP pipe band. One of his crowning achievements was playing snare drum at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland on three occasions, 2015, 2019 and 2024. With their active lifestyle, together they enjoyed cross country skiing, camping, hiking and extensive, adventurous travel. His community work and volunteerism was evident during the Grand Theatre restoration project in Indian Head and his 20-year service as the drum sergeant of the Saskatchewan RCMP Pipes, Drums and Dancers based out of Regina, SK, just to name a few. In appreciation of his dedication to volunteerism, Bruce (and Laura) received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2023 and The King’s Coronation Medal in 2025 as well as the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal in 2025. Bruce also felt honoured to be a torch bearer for the 2010 Winter Olympics in recognition of his passion for community service.

In his spare time, Bruce loved being a grandfather and as a talented musician, played music with his daughter, Erin any chance he got! They enjoyed their annual Christmas sing-along at the Indian Head Library and more recently playing with their band during Open Mics at the Gallery Coffee House. He was also well loved, and is dearly missed, by a large group of like-minded friends.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Laura Poppy; his children Richard (Heather) Neill, Erin (Douglas) Lamb; and his grandchildren Rylee, Sydnee, Joni and Matthew; sisters Lynda (Shaun) Parisian and Kathy Neill (Dennis Derksen); brothers Douglas (Lorrie) Neill and Ken Neill (Carey Duncan); father-in-law Bruce Poppy; brother-in-law Lee (Malina) Poppy; sister-in-law Shannon Poppy (Brian Poniatowski) and all of his many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his beloved parents Harold and Mae Neill and mother-in-law Charlene Poppy.

Bruce’s family would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to the staff at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre, the staff at the Indian Head Union Hospital, the palliative care team, and the staff at the Indian Head Pharmasave. Your care for Bruce went above and beyond and we are eternally grateful.

A celebration of life with live music, stories and images will be held in the Memorial Hall in Indian Head on Saturday, November 22nd, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. Informal dress attire – please wear your favourite sports jersey or goofy shirt to honour Bruce’s vibrant spirit. The celebration will be livestreamed with the link that is posted below, starting shortly before 3:00 p.m. central standard time. A private interment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.grandtheatre1904.com and/or www.cancerfoundationsask.ca.