Bruce passed away peacefully at the Meaford Long Term Care Centre with family by his side on Friday, September 16, 2022 in his 87th year.
Born on September 30, 1935, he was a son of the late William and Lena (nee Moore) Osborne.
Bruce was the caring and generous husband of 62 years to Betty (nee Schwehr) Osborne of Thornbury.
He was proud father of David Osborne (Cindy Hicks) of Manitoba, Rick Osborne of Markham, Randy Osborne (Holly) of Thornbury, and Sharon Owen (Preston) of Clarksburg.
He was the kind and loving Grandpa of Kathryn, Steven (Melanie), Michael, Sean (Sarah), Mark (Stephanie), Greg (Elsa), Brooke, Tiffany (Mark), Becky (Johnny), and Great Grandfather of Bentley, Parker, Paxton, Aleida, Tyson and will be remembered fondly by many other extended family members.
Bruce was predeceased by his Grandson Justin Owen and by his siblings; Fern Howsen, Marie Gordon, and Jim Osborne. He will never be forgotten by his many nieces, nephews and their families.
Born in Feversham and raised in Clarksburg during WW II, Bruce was a small-town boy. He started his career at the Toronto Dominion Bank in Toronto. After a short period, he returned home to help with the family business, ‘Osborne’s Appliances’ which soon became ‘Osborne’s T.V.’ He worked alongside his father, uncle and brother, and eventually his son David joined them. A family business with 3 generations and 60 years happily providing quality small town service to their community. Bruce truly enjoyed his job and would go above and beyond to help anyone in need. He was a ‘MacGyver’ and inventor, and worked hard to find ways to make things work smoothly.
Bruce was proud to be from a small town and found many ways to volunteer and provide support to his community. He volunteered for 18 years on the Thornbury Fire Department and retired in 1998 as Deputy Fire Chief. He played the trumpet in the Valley Concert Band for many years and played the Last Post for over 70 years in Ravenna and Thornbury. He always had a booth at the fall Fair and looked forward to community events like Skate-Athons. Bruce’s boat could be seen off the Thornbury harbour during the spring and fall. If Bruce wasn’t catching anything, nobody was. Anything Bruce did, he did well; golfing, bowling, badminton and many other sports. He was competitive and enjoyed a challenge.
For many years people have travelled from near and far to enjoy the tall, brilliantly lit Christmas tree at the Osborne home on Bruce Street. Bruce spent many hours happily planning and preparing this tree so that others could enjoy its beauty during the holiday season. During the warmer months Betty and Bruce enjoyed many years at Whispering Pines Campground and developed many lifelong friendships.
“Dad was very proud of his family and always said that we weren’t monetarily rich but to always remember that we were rich in what we had …. each other”.
A private Catholic Mass will be conducted at St. Vincent Catholic Church in Meaford, with interment following at Thornbury-Clarksburg Union Cemetery.
All are welcome to attend a public Celebration of Bruce’s Life at the Marsh Street Centre in Clarksburg on Sunday, September 25, 2022 from 5 until 8 p.m., tributes will be shared at 6 p.m.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Meaford Nursing Home Auxiliary (cheques only please) or the Alzheimer Society, would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca