Obituary of Bruce Gowanlock

Melvin Bruce Gowanlock was born October 22nd, 1943 in Edmonton, Alberta and passed away at Vegreville, Alberta on June 30th, 2018 at the age of 74 years.

He is survived by his loving fiancée, Tracy Kennedy; two sons, David (Tracy) of Edmonton and Derek (Jennifer) of Ottawa; two grandchildren, Evelynn and Amelia; one sister, Gweneth of Ottawa and numerous other relatives.

Bruce was predeceased by his wife Eunice (nee Grymaloski) and parents Jim and Dorothy Gowanlock.

Raised on the family farm southwest of Forestburg, Bruce left to study at the Vermillion School of Agriculture and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology while working a variety of jobs.  Following years at Ross’s Body Shop and McNabb’s Construction, Bruce transitioned to a 30-year career at Alberta Power (ATCO).   While working and contributing to the Forestburg community, Bruce and Eunice raised two sons who strive to follow the example of their father, a gentleman with morals and values like few others. 

Retiring in 2006, Eunice and Bruce built their dream home on the shore of Lac Sante.  Through the years of retirement Bruce, gregarious as ever, wove himself into the fabric of the lake community.  He lovingly cared for Eunice through her journey with cancer and deeply mourned her passing in 2009.  At that time, Bruce’s pre-existing Pulmonary Fibrosis worsened, resulting ultimately in a bi-lateral lung transplant performed at the University of Alberta in 2014.  The skill of the transplant team, coupled with his positive outlook and resilience gave him a new lease on life and rekindled his passion for motorcycling, a lifelong interest.  It was during his travels that he met Tracy Kennedy.  The two became engaged shortly before Bruce’s unexpected passing on June 30th, 2018 due to complications from a recent cancer diagnosis.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 9th at the Forestburg Community Hall.  

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the transplant team at the University of Alberta for the additional four quality years of life that the transplant provided Bruce.  Also, the family is grateful for the exemplary palliative care provided to Bruce and the compassionate support shown his family at St Joseph’s General Hospital in Vegreville at his passing. Donations in memory of Bruce may be made to the University of Alberta, Alberta Transplant Institute, please visit https://www.ualberta.ca/alberta-transplant-institute/giving.  Please also personally consider organ donation.