ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Ronald Bruce, 88 years old, born on May 29, 1925, and passed away on October 25, 2013. We will remember him forever.
October 25, 2014
October 25, 2014
A year after his passing, I still have memories and even dreams of Pa (Ron). He had a profound influence on my life and I am grateful. I am happy to know that he is far more alive now then when he walked the earth and his walk on the earth left a "Large Footprint." Peace.
May 31, 2014
May 31, 2014
Since Pa's birthday was close to strawberry season a tradition sprung up of fresh strawberries on shortcake with whipped cream. I just dreamed about him last night and hugged him - I forgot that is was his birthday until Karen just reminded me - that explains the dream. Happy Birthday, Pa! Love, Colin
May 30, 2014
May 30, 2014
I always remember dad's birthday. He's not here any more to send birthday wishes to but it's a good day to remember all the positive lessons he taught all of us.
November 5, 2013
November 5, 2013
Patrick Frederick Bruce (Ron's dad) emigrated from Scotland and had a boyish sense of humor. Ronald Frederick Bruce was almost all "work", focus and confidence. He got things done, made you feel secure, and taught me a strong work ethic . Who else, but my dad, would substitute "implement" for almost every verb -- "What are we implementing for dinner?" Warm love, Stephen Frederick Bruce
October 31, 2013
October 31, 2013
Dad was a great father when I was a kid. He always made me feel loved. His favorite word "expedite" explains why I have such a strong work ethic today and thanks to him I have a strong sense of confidence. He said I was a chip off the old block, which must have meant I was special :). He made me a strong woman, and I am forever thankful for this. I love you.
October 31, 2013
October 31, 2013
My mother, Nancy, loved Ron Bruce deeply. She was an amazing woman... I don't think that there can be a greater tribute than the love she had for him.
October 29, 2013
October 29, 2013
Ron Bruce was a lot of things to many people. He was a builder and engineer. He was a butt-kicking project manager. He was a teacher and trainer. He was a husband and father. But to me, he was always Pa. Thank you, Pa, for taking a boy under your wing and releasing him as a man. All my love, your son, Colin.
October 29, 2013
October 29, 2013
I am grateful that Ron was my husband's dad. He taught Colin so much and Colin has used those skills to teach our three children. Ron lives on in our lives through his investment in Colin. We are grateful for his life and remember him in death. God's mercy and grace are real.

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Recent Tributes
October 25, 2014
October 25, 2014
A year after his passing, I still have memories and even dreams of Pa (Ron). He had a profound influence on my life and I am grateful. I am happy to know that he is far more alive now then when he walked the earth and his walk on the earth left a "Large Footprint." Peace.
May 31, 2014
May 31, 2014
Since Pa's birthday was close to strawberry season a tradition sprung up of fresh strawberries on shortcake with whipped cream. I just dreamed about him last night and hugged him - I forgot that is was his birthday until Karen just reminded me - that explains the dream. Happy Birthday, Pa! Love, Colin
May 30, 2014
May 30, 2014
I always remember dad's birthday. He's not here any more to send birthday wishes to but it's a good day to remember all the positive lessons he taught all of us.
Recent stories

Overalls

November 1, 2013

I am so glad to see a photo of Ron in his overalls!  Once he became "Farmer Ron" he just lived in those things. 

Remembering

November 1, 2013

Thank you so much for posting all of these photos.  I had completely forgotten this trip.  It was when my mom was battling cancer... died the following year.  I am so grateful for these memories you are sharing.

More work stories with Ron

October 31, 2013

Karen thanks for sharing your stories; wow it does parallel my own!

Yes, I do remember “expedite,” but Ron went through a “Spanish phase” in the mid 70’s, so expedite became “Andale!” The equivalent of move your butt!! (He spoke Spanish a lot like John Wayne did)

The weekends were never a time to sleep in, even when doing fun activities like bowling or Golf. I remember our family bowling breakfasts, which included three games of bowling, but started at 7:30 am with a big breakfast. This gave plenty of time for chores or tasks afterwards. Many times Ron and I got out onto the golf course before it was open. I can remember at the Laurel Pines Golf Course in MD when the starter would come racing out in his golf cart to catch these renegades only to smile and say, “Oh, It’s you, Ron.” Then Ron would pay him our green fees and we continued our game.

As the business ventures began, the play ended, but with Ron work was play J

Whether we were out “playing” doing electrical contracting work or “playing” doing restaurant work it was always a family affair. That is one thing I recognized early on, Ron loved having his family working shoulder to shoulder with him in any of his ventures. Perhaps the most humorous story of a “family work project” was when we were putting up a TV Antenna at the La Habra Heights house we were building. The job was to put up a fifteen foot antenna on the roof using guide wires to hold it in place and a metal saddle to seat the Antenna. I was up on a scaffold near the roof line, probably 30 feet from the ground and my job was to hold the pole with the antenna and guide it into the saddle, while it was kept vertical by four sets of willing workers. Worker number 1 – my sister, Worker number 2 – my mother, Worker number 3 – Ron, and worker number 4 - his 70 year old father. (I know what you are thinking…).  As I gently hoisted the antenna into the air and prepared to seat it while the four workers were keeping the guy wires taught, the antenna decided to fall over as grandpa Pat was not quite able to hold it against the other two workers. The antenna fell onto the 12000 volt power line that supplied the entire development. Everyone had let go of their wires when the antenna fell, but yours truly was holding the metal pole. My entire body was alive with electricity through my fingers and back, but thankfully (divine intervention) one of the guy wires happened to brush against the metal chimney and was instantly welded in place. This diverted most of the current otherwise I would have been electrocuted. Pa would reflect on that incident with gratitude that he hadn’t killed me or my mother would never have forgiven him, he would say. Later, we regrouped and put up a much smaller antenna. (Picture above is the house and the infamous powerline)

Karen, I found the same thing was true for me; Pa was a great teacher/trainer. I did many projects with him and he would always train me on a job and turn me loose. He allowed me to fail without bringing shame or belittling me. This gave me the confidence to try things as you mentioned. Because of this process of teach/train/turn loose I came away with the belief (erroneous as that sometimes was) that I could do anything I put my mind to.

Perhaps this is what influenced me to become a teacher/trainer as well.

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