Obituary of Bruce Winter Anderson

Colonel Bruce Anderson passed away peacefully on 20 April 2023 at Westford Nursing Home Port Elgin, NB. Bruce was the son of the late Colonel Samuel Boyd Anderson (1934) and Gladys (Winter) Anderson (1969). He was predeceased by his wife of 71 years Evelyn M. Anderson (2019). He is survived by his sons S. Boyd (Franscine) Anderson of Moncton and Ian B. Anderson (Gwendolyn) of Calgary. He will be dearly missed by grandchildren Elizabeth (Kenneth) Chow of Hong Kong, Jennifer (Steven) MacGillivray of Vancouver, David Anderson of Atlanta, Georgia, Alexis (Tristan Capacchione) Anderson of Montreal and Kathleen (Emily Rose) Anderson of Toronto. He is also survived by great-grandchildren: Emily and Annabel Chow, Lily and Ewan MacGillivray. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Pamela Hosford, Peter Ritcey, Roberta DeVries, Adrian DeVries (Mary-Anne) and former daughter-in-law Mary Porter (John). In addition to his parents, Bruce was predeceased by his sister Joan DeVries in 2000 (Jan Devries 1988), his sister in law Dorothy Ritcey in 1997 (John Ritcey 2012) as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Bruce was born in January 1920 in Cape Girardeau where his mother and sister had gone to stay with relatives at the end of the 1st World War until his father returned from France and England. Boyd was appointed Moncton City Clerk in 1920 and the family settled in Moncton permanently. Bruce graduated in the 1st class of the then new Moncton High School in 1937 and joined the Royal Bank. In 1942 he joined Central Trust in Moncton but volunteered in the Canadian Army in February 1943 and was commissioned with the Saint John Fusiliers, part of the 6th division of the Canadian Army. He was posted to the west coast of Canada and prepared for the invasion of the Japanese Home Islands. Fortunately, the war ended and on demobilization returned to Central Trust in Moncton. He was transferred to Amherst NS in 1947. Evelyn and Bruce were married 11 September 1948 at Central United Church, Moncton. Bruce was transferred from Amherst to the Fredericton NB branch in 1962 and later became the manager of the Royal Trust in Fredericton. He finished his carrier with the NB Department of Agriculture Farm Adjustment Board, retiring in 1989. Bruce was active in the Rotary Club, United Services Institute and the Garrison Club of Fredericton. Bruce continued to serve Canada with a long career in the Militia enlisting in the North Nova Scotia Highlanders in Amherst in 1947 as Lieutenant, rising to the rank of Major. He transferred to the 1st Battalion Royal New Brunswick Regiment (Carleton and York), promoted to Lt. Colonel and commanding officer in 1965. On promotion to Colonel in 1974, he commanded the Western NB District. Bruce was appointed Honourary ADC to Governors General Michener and Léger from 1967 to 1973 arranging several Vice Regal visits and services. He retired from the militia in 1976. Bruce was a long serving member of the Royal Canadian Legion earning his 75-year membership pin in 2020. Bruce, Evelyn and the boys enjoyed many summers at the family cottage at Pointe du Chêne. There was a wide circle of friends with many parties, lobster feasts and pot luck suppers. Bruce and the boys enjoyed Shediac Bay in various boats. Bruce enjoyed photography and woodworking – furnishing many items for friends and families. On retiring, they consolidated their homes, moving to Cornwall Point, Shediac in 1989, making many new friends. Bruce and Evelyn enjoyed travel, including several family trips to Florida and Bermuda and within Canada. He and Evelyn also enjoyed cruising. They made it to six continents by air or sea. In December 2012, Bruce and Evelyn moved to Camden Park Terrace, in Moncton, living independently until a sudden illness in August 2018, forced Bruce to the wonderful care at Westford Nursing Home in Port Elgin – coming full circle to the ancestral home of the Anderson clan. The family thanks the many staff at Westford who cared for Bruce and entertained and were entertained by him. In keeping with Bruce’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. A family ceremony will be held later at Elmwood Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Tuttle Brothers Riverview Funeral Home, 214 Pine Glen Road, Riverview NB E1B 1V6. Donations in Bruce’s name may be made to the Westford Foundation C/O Westford Nursing Home, 57 W. Main St. Port Elgin NB E4M 1L7 or the charity of your choice. On-line condolences may be sent to [email protected] or addressed to the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at www.tuttlefuneralhome.caVisitation Information In keeping with Bruce’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Service Information A family ceremony will be held later at Elmwood Cemetery. Burial Information Elmwood Cemetery, Moncton, NB at a later date Requested Charity C/O Westford Nursing Home, 57 W. Main St. Port Elgin NB E4M 1L7