Suddenly, while enjoying a beautiful hike on the Aasgard Pass in Washington State on October 8, 2022, Bruce was stricken by a heart attack at the age of 61 with his devoted wife, Marilyn Butler, by his side. Beloved son of Edward and the late Priscilla (Hinchcliffe) Freeman, his untimely death has shattered the world for his family, close friends, and all others whose lives he touched.

Bruce attended Jarvis Collegiate Institute and graduated from the University of Toronto, Victoria College, with an Honours BSc (Computer Science). He worked for Alias|Wavefront in Toronto before moving to the United States, where he became one of the earliest employees of Shutterfly; he worked there for 23 years as a software engineer creating tools and automation that supported increasingly frequent updates to Shutterfly’s website.

Bruce loved hiking in the mountains, and he met his soulmate Marilyn on a trail in New Hampshire 29 years ago. Marilyn and her precious Bruce traveled the globe, hiking and exploring together, living first in San Francisco, California, and then in Portland, Oregon. Nothing brought them greater joy than spending time with family, entertaining friends, assembling jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, cooking together, savouring the beauty of nature, and sometimes just reading quietly with each other.

Bruce’s calmness created peace, his wit caused laughter, his memory steadied conversations, and his kind, outgoing nature comforted all who met him. His commitment was absolute, and his willingness to share ideas and solutions was welcome by colleagues and friends alike. He was the consummate companion and always dependable, honest, and genuine.

Survived by his wife, Marilyn West Butler; father, Edward; sister, Naomi Pinn (Tim Armstrong); nieces, Caitlin and Samantha Pinn; mother-in-law, Carol Butler; sister-in-law, Robin Butler (Janelle Rettig), brother-in-law, Tom Butler (Amy); and nephews, William and Clayton Butler. Predeceased by his mother, Priscilla Freeman; mother-in-law, Marylou Henley, and father-in-law, Bill Butler.

Despite the fact that Bruce never wanted a fuss made about him, the family welcomes you to join them on Saturday, 12 November at 1:30pm at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto; family and friends will share reflections at 2pm, followed by a reception. For those unable to attend, livestreaming of the event will begin at 1:50pm, and can be found that day on this page.

Fond memories and anecdotes about Bruce would be greatly appreciated by the family and may be brought to the gathering or shared at BruceFreeman.Family@gmail.com.

A private internment will take place at a later date at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto.

Memorials in Bruce’s name may be made to the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Bruce Trail Conservancy, the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, or to a charity of your choice that might better reflect your connection with him.