BRUCE JAMES FORSYTH

It’s with such sadness that the family announces Bruce’s peaceful passing on January 21st, 2025. He is dearly missed by his wife, Tara; his children, Jarrid (Dana) Forsyth, Ashton-Lynn (Jason) Henkel, Jenna (Mark) Alward, Brooke (Kris Yewchen); grandchildren, Nixon and Lowen, and Nathan and Avah; siblings, Viki (Henry) van Sabben, David (Theresa), and Ian (Apple); mother-in-law Ethel Schmitz; sisters-in-law Maureen Forsyth (Dean) and Dona Schalme (Brian) and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Vic and Yolanda; father-in-law Ted Schmitz; siblings, Keith and Brian; and nephews, Chad, Matthew, and Derek Forsyth.

Born on October 19th, 1960, Bruce spent his youth in Transcona. He could often be found playing hockey, tinkering on cars, listening to music, camping at Nutamik, hunting with his father and brothers, and spending time with his large family. In 1978 his parents moved their mobile business to a location on Regent Avenue, and so began his more formal journey with Topline Auto Supply. In 1990, Bruce purchased the business from his parents and eventually moved to a location on Plessis Road where the business still operates today. He enjoyed serving people and took the time to get to know them. Many became life-long customers and often dropped in regularly to just say hello and catch up. Bruce was an incredibly caring person, and he was known to help many in need including helping an immigrating family by providing warm winter clothing, boots, toques and mitts and ensuring they had essential groceries when they arrived.

Bruce met the love of his life, Tara, in 1982 and they married on July 7th, 1984. Shortly after they started their family and moved from Transcona to East St Paul, where they continued to live until Bruce’s passing. He loved the community and felt it was a wonderful place to raise a family. He enjoyed travelling and excursions to South Dakota, Banff, Fiji, Hawaii, and the opportunity to go to several NHRA races in Brainard and a couple of NASCAR trips were favourites. He loved camping with his children and the family trips that we took together. In 2002, he built a cabin at Lee River. He lovingly built this home, a craft he learned from his father-in-law, and enjoyed every minute spent there whether it was entertaining the kids, grandchildren, extended family, playing cards, snowmobiling, boating, or fishing. He also spent many happy hours hunting at the near-by Forsyth farm with family and friends. The cabin was his happy place and the safe place he retreated to during the first year of the pandemic.

The most important thing to Bruce was family. The love for his family sustained him on his journey and was what he lived for. Although he was quite ill, he never complained and made sure that he jammed a lifetime of memories into the years he shared with us. He let us know that we were deeply loved, and that included his extended family and his friends. Even though he was unwell, he always found a way to spend time with us.

Seventeen years ago, Bruce was diagnosed with advanced cardiomyopathy. At his stage of diagnosis, most have a life expectancy of under three years. We were so blessed to have many years that were filled with a wonderful quality of life. In August 2018, Bruce suffered a life threatening arrythmia. Because CPR was started within seconds, he was blessed with what he called “six bonus years”. Less than 1% survive this. Bruce was an amazing advocate, and he had an incredible team that helped add years and quality to his life. Our family is so grateful to Dr. Julie Lamb who always listened, advocated and cared, he thought very highly of you; the Pacemaker Clinic, a Team that also listened, advocated and were transparent in the information they provided; the pharmacists and techs at Sobey’s Bird’s Hill who spent endless hours helping to sort out prescriptions from the heart failure clinic; and lastly to the ACCU at St. Boniface Hospital. You fought to save his life, and when hope faded, ensured that his passing was peaceful. We appreciate your honesty and the care and respect provided to Bruce and our family.

Celebration of Life to be held from 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 4th, 2025 at East End Community Centre 527 Pandora Ave. East. 

Although we are devastated, we are grateful that we shared a life with him. If you care to, consider a donation to Heart and Stroke Foundation and please consider taking a CPR class. The life you save may be the most important person in your life.

Goodbye is not forever. 

So long is not the end. 

They simply mean I’ll miss you, 

Until we meet again.

Bruce’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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