In memory of

John Bruce Pickersgill

January 18, 1943 - February 7, 2019

J. Bruce Pickersgill
Our wonderful Bruce passed away peacefully on February 7, 2019 at home at the age of
76, leaving behind Lindsay, his wife of 53 years, his children Michael (Janine) and Heather (Todd), and grandchildren Thomas, William and Kate, sister Clare (Rudy), and brother Frank (Maureen) and many relatives.
Born in Ottawa, January 18, 1943, to Tom and Margaret Pickersgill, Bruce grew up in Vancouver and Winnipeg. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Manitoba in 1966 and completed his Master of Architecture at Harvard University in 1971. His career in architecture took him from Winnipeg to Toronto with stops in Paris, Boston and Dubai. He was proud to have been involved in many exciting projects around the world.
Bruce loved his family and devoted his life to providing a safe harbour for them all. He treasured spending time at the family cottage in Minaki, Ontario, where endless building projects were started, and picnics perfected. He was at heart a bon vivant who loved sharing a delicious meal and glass of wine with friends, trading tales of great golf shots or the fish that got away, in between reading a good book or pouring over ideas for the next great dinner or exciting destination.
Often described as a true gentleman, Bruce was kind, generous, honest and fair without reservation, except maybe for the odd ‘foot wedge’ on the golf course. His quiet intelli- gence and humour were demonstrated in his endless supply of one liners and quips.
Bruce faced his long journey with MSA with grace, optimism and without complaint. We would like to thank all our family and friends for their support, and especially his brother Frank, whose many visits brightened Bruce’s day. Lindsay could not have managed as caregiver without the compassionate guidance of Bruce’s team of doctors, nurses and PSWs.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation or the Temmy Latner Palliative Care Centre.
A celebration of Bruce’s life will take place at Mt Pleasant Funeral Centre on Sunday,March 3,2019 at 11a.m.
As Bruce/Pix/Koko/Dad/ Unca Bruce/ Poppa B would say, “it’s been lovely”.

Guestbook

(4 of 4)

Elaine Sutherns (Friend)

Entered February 18, 2019 from Mississauga

My deepest sympathy goes out to Lindsay and family.

jack and sandra ferguson (long time friends)

Entered March 2, 2019 from ottawa, ont

Dear Lindsay, Mike, Heather and Families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today during this sad and emotional time. We have many happy memories of good conversation, great dinners and skiing the picturesque trails in Gatineau Park where Bruce was always at the front of the pack. May he rest in peace, Jack and Sandra

Joseph Canisius Dias (Ex Colleague at NORR, Dubai)

Entered March 14, 2019 from Dubai, UAE

A true gentleman has passed away! Always smiling ... ever focussed...always a good word for everyone. Loved his golfing and said that it was important to spend time on the green to socialize with prospective clients. Some of us here in Norr, Dubai, who worked with him will surely look back and say, " Life well lived Bruce! We will miss you".

Duncan Hebenton (I was running Norr Abu Dhabi Interior Design office with Bruce in charge of ME Operations)

Entered March 17, 2019 from Scotland

Just received the belated news of Bruce's passing...very sad, and condolences to all family members....Some great memories of happy sunny days at Emirates GC for the annual Norr v Hanscomb Golf challenge...'Uncle' Bruce (Norr captain) and Steve Keigwin (Hanscomb captain)....even with Richard Eastwick, Norr were consistent winners with Bruce at the helm...!...RIP Bruce...

Life Stories

(1 of 1)

Jim Weselake (Friend)

Entered February 25, 2019 from Winnipeg

Bruce became a dear and lifelong friend from the moment we met in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba in the mid-60’s. Along with Bill Hurst we developed an easy going synergy enhanced by similar outlooks on life and career.
During that time we lived and worked together in London, England. We got to know each other even more, perhaps at times too well, but our kinship grew stronger.
What I admired most about Bruce was his wonderful ability to trust in life and enjoy the moment. He was an excellent organizer and planner but only to a certain point. Once the basic plan was done he loved to let things unfold in a more exciting and unpredictable way.
I have the following story which I believe epitomized Bruce’s faith both in friends and successful outcomes.
While at University we organized a ski day trip to Agassiz Ski Hill at Riding Mountain National Park. At the time Bruce was living with a friend’s family (Bruce’s parents had moved to Toronto) in an older 3-storey house in River Heights. I was to pick Bruce up at 5:00 am on a cold Winnipeg morning which happened to be the morning after a Phi Delta Theta fraternity party. I arrived at the house at 5 and of course the house was in darkness. I started to walk to the side door, mumbling to myself, and lo and behold there was a heavy rope hanging from the 3rd floor window directly above me. I pulled on the rope a couple of times. Loud grumbling ensued followed by a book thrown out the window. The rope was tied to Bruce’s ankle as a basic alarm system. Needless to say we had a great day skiing.
This moment has stuck with me as the perfect example of why I admired Bruce and his ability to adapt to the unpredictable events of life.
Claudia and I spent many wonderful times with Lindsay and Bruce including visiting with them in Toronto at their latest “house-in-development”, at their wonderful summer home in Minaki, and in Paris when they were living on Ile Saint-Louis. Through the years we have met their children, spouses and grand-children. What a wonderful legacy.
We both cherish these memories and will never forget the friendship.

- Jim Weselake, Winnipeg.