James Allan "Bruce" Francis

JAMES ALLAN “BRUCE” FRANCIS
With sad hearts we are sharing with family and friends Bruce’s passing on Wednesday, May 29th, 2019, at the Neepawa Hospital.
Bruce was born on August 2, 1934, in East St. Paul, Manitoba, and grew up and lived in the Arden area until 2012. Bruce attended school in Arden until he decided to work full time on the family farm with his father. He eventually took over the farm and homestead in 1966.
On July 28, 1956, Bruce married the love of his life, Margery Webster. They were blessed with five children - Robin, Kerry, Grant, Shauna, Dwayne. They made their first home in the town of Arden, then later moved to the family farm where they remained until 2012 when they left the farm and moved into Neepawa.
Bruce was very involved with the community. He served on many boards, including the Beautiful Plains School Board, the Neepawa Hospital Board, several terms on the Arden Recreation Committee, including the Lansdowne Centennial Committee in 1984, headed the three school reunion in Arden in 2006, served on the HAND Board in Neepawa for 17 years, served on the local Manitoba Pool Elevator Board, and was a member of the Canadian Wheat Board. Bruce was also the Manager of the Neepawa Blackhawks minor hockey team for many years. Bruce played an integral role in the building of the current three sheets of artificial ice, with the geothermal system, at the Arden Curling Club. He was very proud of this. Bruce loved to give back to his farming and the community!
Bruce loved his family. Nothing was more important to him. He is survived by his wife Marge of 62 years; his son Robin, wife Sherry, granddaughters Brittany and Lyndin; his son Kerry, wife Theresa, granddaughter Teighan, grandson Graham; daughter Shauna, husband Mike, grandsons Jesse and Drew, granddaughter Logan; and son Dwayne, wife Kim, grandsons Mackenzie, Mayson, Nicklaus. He is also survived by his sister Lorraine, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Grant in 1989.
Bruce loved to be outdoors. To get away camping or fishing, or simply cooking a hotdog over a campfire was always a highlight for him. After retirement, Bruce and Marge travelled from coast to coast in Canada, travelled north to Alaska, south to Mexico. They covered it all! As you can imagine, Bruce made friends all over the country, always taking the time to stop and talk and then keeping in touch after they returned home.
Bruce loved sports, either playing or watching, He curled for many years, some great memories with his team Delmar, Vernon and Ken. He took part in many bonspiels and if he wasn’t playing, he was at the Arden Curling Rink watching. He also loved hockey and watching ball. He spent countless hours either at a hockey rink or ball diamond watching his kids and grandkids play. Playing cards was also a favourite pastime. He loved a good game of Shanghai rummy with the family, or spending a night playing with friends.
After family, Bruce loved his friends. Bruce made friends wherever he went, always had time to stop and talk. Once you met him, you were a friend for life. Bruce always made sure he was able to drive around – he loved his trucks and his scooter, he got where he needed to go!
In lieu of flowers and cards, if you wish, a donation can be made to the Municipality of Glenella-Lansdowne in support of Lansdowne Recreation.
We will miss you Bruce, Dad, Grandpa. Love you forever..

In lieu of flowers and cards friends may make donations to

Municipality of Glenella - Lansdowne in support of Lansdowne Recreation, 

R.M. of Lansdowne - Glenella, Manitoba

PO Box 141, Arden MB  R0J 0B0

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Allan "Bruce" Francis, please visit our floral store.