Bruce Wei Eng

Trusted adviser, devoted friend, beloved grandson, cherished son and older brother and doting husband; but perhaps most telling of all, he was known as “Uncle Bruce” by the biggest group he influenced. No matter what our connection to Bruce, we will all relate with one or more of the following points about him. Firstly, Bruce had a terrific sense of humor and would go to great lengths to pull off a prank. From getting his class to cover themselves with red ink dots to get out of school one day, to rigging the speaker’s podium at pre-med school; he took delight in this mischievous outlet. Next is his seemingly inexhaustible supply of information on diverse subjects. His love of cars led him to become skilled at mechanics, as well as a race car driver on a pro-circuit. He even drove long haul trucks to pay his way through UBC. This gave him a vast knowledge of US and Canadian geography, highways and byways. He also attended pre-med school until he found they were all too serious for him. His interest in cooking started as a youngster, holding onto his gramma’s apron strings while she taught him what goes on in the kitchen. This interest would be strong in Bruce throughout his life. He did some time as sous chef at 4 Seasons and cooked at the food stalls for the PNE. He was featured on KCTS TV in Seattle, preparing his famous lettuce wrap recipe. He would often tell Evelyn: “you wanna see that place; I’ll take you there” and off they’d go. He and his beloved Evelyn would travel far and wide to experience and take cooking lessons on exotic foods. New Orleans was one of his favorite spots. Bruce has a very inquisitive mind, planted by his grampa who would make sure Bruce started reading at an early age. Bruce never lost his appetite for searching out knowledge on any number of subjects.

Bruce’s profession as a financial adviser was most appropriate for him. He was third generation in the business and in addition to what his mentors taught him, he brought many new ideas to bear, as a result of his broad knowledge of so many aspects of finance and life. For Bruce, the client was king. He took pride in leaving no stone unturned when searching for a solution that would be right for his client. Time and time again, he would do battle with management, accountants or lawyers who could not see or think outside the box. Bruce was a top performer, regularly rewarded for his results and sought out for his ideas. The most noble and memorable trait is Bruce’s love of children and his passion for protecting those in need of help. Bruce was born at a point which made him one of the older cousins and he naturally became a leader, instigator and guardian. He stepped into schoolyard fights to beat off bullies. He supported his favorite charity, “Study of Infant Deaths”.

Bruce’s campsite in the Van Club was the favored gathering spot because of his sought after ball park franks and his skill in making things fun for the youngsters. He was a great communicator and was able to get even the quieter kids to open up with him. Whether niece or nephew, family friend or friend of a friend, the youngsters all called him “Uncle Bruce”, a handle he cherished. And if you wanted Bruce’s face to beam with joy and show an ear to ear grin, you only had to mention his nieces, Etosha and Rhiannon. These wonderful ladies live in Turks and Cacaos and when school breaks for the summer,

they come to Vancouver each year to spend 2 months before going back to the heat. For they and for Bruce, this was a cherished time. Bruce would do his research to make sure he would be “relevant” and able to “talk the talk” with these girls. He made sure he had one discovery or new thing planned so that the girls would have a wonderful experience and one that would last them until the next summer. On June 30, 2009, they got off their plane after a long day in the air and were whisked off to the Jonas Brothers concert. That was a hot band for girls their age and as one of the girls (we won’t say which one) had a crush on one of the Jonas Brothers, Bruce knew this would be an unforgettable experience for them. The girls have each written a letter to Bruce, which I will read excerpts from, now: From Rhiannon’s letter: I wanted to start by how much I’m going to miss you and how I will always remember you. When I think of you I think of being in gramma’s living room and opening all the really cool gifts. I remember we would go to Stanley Park, watch the 9 o’clock gun and give names to all the statues. I remember you taking us to the drive in movie and also the Jonas Brothers concert. I think the best part is that you were always happy and laughing and so was everyone else, because of you. I was always happy around you and Auntie Evelyn; you spoiled us so much. Thank you for being in my life, because you always made me see the good in people. They say God wouldn’t give you more than you can handle so I know I can handle this as it makes me think of how lucky I have been to have had you in my life. I will never forget you.

Love from Rhiannon.

From Tosh’s letter:

Twenty days. I was going to visit you and Auntie Evelyn in twenty days when it happened. You’d have come up to gramma’s house and banged on the door. You wouldn’t have waited but would have yelled through the mail slot. Now, I won’t be able to see you this summer or next or the one after that, for a very long time. I miss you more than anything but I am not sad anymore as you left peacefully and surrounded by people who love you. I know you spent your life well. I hope you know that grandma and grampa loved you more than anything and so did mom and Auntie Cindy, Rhiannon and I and especially Auntie Evelyn. I’m sad because grandma and grampa and Popo have to bury a child and Evelyn a husband. Auntie Evelyn is so strong and knows you are looking down on her proud to think you were hers and she was yours. I love you so much and will never forget the time I spent with you. I can’t wait to see you again someday. I will give you and big hug and a smile just like I used to at Grandma’s house.

Lots of love; Tosh.

Bruce showed his courage in a number of ways. Stepping into schoolyard fights to protect the underdog; trying new tactics to help a client, despite the grief he took from management; racing along a speedway track at a breath-taking rate and the courage to try new things and accept new ideas. Perhaps his most courageous act was in making a life decision and sticking with it. Bruce chose quality of life over duration. His diabetes was a challenge and a risk and he refused to cower to it. He embraced his decision and its consequences and lived life with a courage that is thought provoking for others. In searching for a way to explain this courage, I came upon a poem by Robert Frost entitled “The Road Not Taken”. It goes like this:

Two roads diverged into a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I…

I took the one less travelling by,

And that had made all the difference.

There is something to be learned and embraced by knowing those that have had the courage to take the road less travelled. I am honored to have known Bruce and having been one of those fortunate enough to call him friend and brother. Just as I won’t forget my time with Bruce, I know you won’t forget yours, either.

Thank you.