Obituary of Mr. Bruce Ronald Carson
Bruce Ronald Carson
28 September 1933 – 13 October 2022
The family of Bruce Ronald Carson wish to announce his peaceful passing on October 13, 2022, at the age of 89, at his home in Scarborough after a long and fulfilling life. Bruce was a beloved husband to his late wife of 63 years, Lois (Oben), and fondly remembered by his younger brother Clyde Carson. Father to Ronald (Nadine), Janice (Mike), Nancy and Elayne, and a special Papa/Grandpa to his seven grandchildren: Rachel, Jacob, Amanda, Christopher, Gracelyn, Abby and Megan (ages 28-12).
Bruce graduated from York Memorial Collegiate where he met his wife, Lois. Bruce and Lois were married on 20 April 1957. In 1960, they moved into their first and only home in Scarborough where they would reside for 60 years.
Bruce entered Teachers College in 1953, and in 1954 at the young age of 21, taught his first class of 44 pupils in grade 4 at Birch Cliff Heights Public School. As a graduate of McMaster University & University of Toronto he completed 4 degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Physical Education, Bachelor and Master of Education. He progressed to Vice Principal at Ellesmere Public School, then Principal at Highland Creek P.S. (1968), George B. Little P.S. (1972), Jack Miner Senior P.S. (1977), and retired from George Peck P.S. (1989) after a memorable 35 years in education and as a long-standing advocate for music and arts education in elementary schools.
Bruce was a proud Freemason and lifelong member of St. Andrew’s Lodge #16 G.R.C. where he became Master (1984) and Past Grand Steward. He was an active member in Zion Wexford (Wexford Heights) United Church since 1955. He held many positions in the church including Chairman of the Board, Finances, Christian Education and Ministry and Personnel.
He was an avid reader and enjoyed best-selling thrillers and biographies, a loyal sports fan (Go Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers! Go Raptors! Go Blue Jays! Go Leafs!), aficionado of Reach for the Top and Jeopardy where he thoroughly enjoyed answering the questions before the contestants! Favourite past-times included Crossword puzzles, Euchre, Cribbage, Scrabble, and Wordle.
Bruce prided himself for having a fantastic memory and would often impress his grandchildren by reciting Robert Frost’s poems that he had first learned as a young man! He was extremely proud of each grandchild’s achievements and enjoyed every visit, text, and phone call about their adventures.
He enjoyed summers and sunsets at the cottage on Georgian Bay and welcomed all the relatives for extended stays during the summer months. He loved to travel with his wife, Lois, and was fortunate to visit England, Nashville, Las Vegas, California, Florida, BC, NB, Calgary, Banff, and our favourite…Turbeville, South Carolina ha ha.
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Son, Uncle, Friend and Neighbour.
Until we meet again, forever in our hearts. xoxo
In lieu of flowers, donations to Autism Ontario (Kingston Chapter) www.autismontario.com or Operation Smile Canada, www.operationsmile.ca, would be sincerely appreciated.
Celebration of life, service & reception for both Bruce & Lois will follow in April 2023.
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
