William Bruce Matheson

William Bruce Matheson was born on September 5th, 1946, in Thunder Bay, ON to William Albert & Margaret Matheson. After a brief stop in Winnipeg, the family came west to beautiful Vancouver, BC. Settling in the community of Dunbar, on the west side of Vancouver. Bruce, as he was known by, played little league baseball in Dunbar in the 1950's and loved the sport growing up. At the age of 14, when walking home from school one day, he stopped at the Dunbar lawn bowling club, to observe. He was called over by a member and asked to try. From there, he was hooked on the sport. Playing every single day, he became very good, and quickly. At the age of 21, he was crowned the youngest ever Canadian Champion in the men's singles, in August of 1968 in Toronto. Bruce went on to win the Canadian Championship again, many times and represent Canada on the world stage 15 times across the globe, including the Commonwealth games in Edmonton, in 1978. Bruce began his career in the transportation industry in the 1960's, working as a clerk in OS&D. He then went into sales, where he had a lengthy and very well-respected career that spanned over 5 decades. Alongside his son Dana, the two, launched a freight company in the early 2000's together, working side by side every day for years. In 2007 Bruce purchased a home in Sun City, AZ where he spent winters lawn bowling with close friends and having a blast. In the latter years, Bruce enjoyed watching his grandchildren playing their sports and hanging out with family, sitting in the sunshine, where he could always be found, with a hot coffee, or cold beverage, soaking in the sun! Bruce was a massive sports fan, always following the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Seahawks and curling, whenever it was on TV. Always smiling and willing to talk to anyone! That's how he will be remembered. A true gentleman and gentle soul. Bruce leaves behind his loving wife (Carmella) of 55 years, his son (Dana), daughter (Carla), daughter-in-law (Laurel) and grandchildren (Colton & Chloe). For 79 years, Bruce made an impact on everyone he met. He will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him.

Donations can be made to the Matheson family foundation in Bruce's memory, in support of youth athletic bursaries www.mathesonfoundation.ca