'DESIGNATED STRANGER'

We Were the Monsters of Montrose

1960s Montrose School = Grant and Montrose

We were the Young Believers

The Monsters of Montrose

Young minds Alive with Spirit,

Conspiring with Awe.

Yes, we were the Monsters of Montrose

And I remember well

I remember the great athletes of the Montrose

The Monsters of Montrose

Jim Lind - the star baseball kid

Debby Jones - Montrose's greatest curler

Scotties National & Provincial Winner

I now remember only two teachers Bea Sharpe -

of local curling fame

Mrs. Aylward - the blonde bombshell

I never discovered her first name.

There was the outdoor skating rink

a Wal-Mart store length north of School

I remember skating with my friend Wayne

Marvelling at a little kid trundling thru all

With ungodly speed and moves -

5 or 7 years old

Wayne called him 'Corney'

I later found out Corney was Wayne's brother

Full name - Grant Ledyard

Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Long NHL career.

And I remember a fateful November Day in 1963

We were sent home early

Something happened A man had been shot - ON TV

We were 10 years old - Monsters of Montrose

The man who had been shot - John Fitzgerald Kennedy -

a Young President Of The United States of America

I went home - unannounced

Somehow my mother knew we were coming

Our black 'n white TV image aflame

With Walter Cronkite providing coverage

Of that fateful day in Dallas, Texas

Where a President was shot dead

And the Monsters of Montrose Came of Age.

We Came of Age. And today I arrive -

Designated stranger to a Celebration of LIfe

The Life and Times of Bruce Lousley

I was a child of the era - with few friends

But I remember Bruce being my friend

As Bob Dylan once wrote about President Kennedy

He was a friend of Mine. He was a friend of Mine.

Montrose School. Hockey Sticks. Debby Jones.

Mrs. Aylward. Bea Sharpe. Bruce Lousley.

And this Canadian Poet - Today a Designated Stranger

at a Wellington Crescent Celebration of Life

Memories - Harmonies of the great band The Byrds

Flood my mind.

I am glad such celebrations Exist.

To my Distant Starship - I Now Return.

A Captain of Few Words, Saluting Brave Bruce

One of the True Monsters of Montrose.

He Was a Friend of Mine.

He was a Friend of Mine.

.morris/July-25 (as heard on CBC Radio)

I have so many great memories over the past 60 years. Spending Christmas or summers together there was lots of laughter love and shenanigans. I will miss the phone calls, listening to all his stories and his sense of humor.

Bruce was my Bother-in-law. I've spend a lot of time with him listening to his crazy stories. You couldn't help but laugh at them because before he even started a story he would be chuckling which always put a smile on my face. We used to get together every 2nd weekend if not every weekend and have dinner and played Canasta. He was my Canasta partner. While he was over he used to tease my youngest daughter by calling her Mooglie Pitchfork. Where he got that from, who knows but that was Bruce's sense of humour. He did a lot for me throughout the years of knowing him. Any time i had issues with my house, he was right there to fix it. I was so blessed to have him as my brother-in-law. Bruce you will be missed. Rest in peace.

I have known Bruce for over 50 years. First as a bartender at the Kildonan Hotel and then as my brother in law. I am so grateful to have known him and thankful for all he has done for me and my family over the years. He was always willing to lend a hand and spent many hours renovating my first house.

He lived next door to my parents and was especially helpful to my dad after My mom passed away. My dad couldn't have asked for a better son in law.

My kids adored him and especially his unique sense of humor. I'm sure they will be telling Bruce stories for many years to come. We will always remember him with a smile.

I was saddened to hear the news on Bruce, he was a gentleman.

I had the pleasure of dealing with Bruce during his tenure at the Kildonan Motor Inn & he was always very sincere, honest and had solid grasp of the marketplace.

I did not know his family but I offer my sincerest condolences to his entire family, he was one of the good ones.

Rest in peace my friend.

I would always be happy to learn that it would be Lowsley's shift at the RHCC on any given weekend. We mildly miscreant youth, too young for the bars, but too old to stat home - took refuge there.. Bruce pretty much let us be, letting us hang out on the back stairwell until closing time. For a lark, he'd let us bumpershine on the Zamboni while he cleaned the ice - even let us drive it once or twice. And yes - the stories. An unforgettable guy. RIP.

I remember Bruce as one of the nice guys in the club and the occasional chance to hang out in the office and listen to stories. I think it might of been Bruce who pawned a gig job of painting the lower walls of the rink and paid us $20 and 6 albums each. Deep purple is still one of my favorite bands. Rest in peace.

Extending my sympathy to the Lousley family. I grew up with Bruce on Oxford Street and we definitely had a very fortunate childhood. Lots of great memories Bruce, Rest peacefully.

My condolences to the family. I met Bruce working at River Heights Community Centre as a rink rat while he drove the Zamboni over 50 years ago. We both had a keen interest in running and became friends as a result. We both shared my 1st apartment with cardboard box end tables and milk carton with 2 X 4, 8 foot bench seats so we could listen to Bruce's music. Bruce had his various faces that would make you laugh as it puts a smile on my face now and I will leave our memories, with a smile.

I first met Bruce in the mid 1970's when he worked at River Heights Community Centre. Those were magical times and Bruce was a key to the magic. His sense of humou, kindness and storytelling were outstanding. Even though I hadn't seen him in awhile we did connect through the vendor and Facebook for awhile. He was a huge character in my youth and I shall never forget him. Rest In Peace Bruce.

What a great friend he was. I met Bruce when I was the recreation coordinator at river heights community center. Had many great memory's for the years I new him. Always kept in touch on my birthday. RIP Vern Korven alias ARC!

I new him

Great person with a nice personality. I remember him from the vendor at the hotel-he was always there and I'd always tell him he was almost a duplicate of my cousin Grant what with his red locks and all and in fact, when I first met him many years ago, thought he was Grant. That HUGE dog he often had with him, a Great Dane; a horse behind the counter, in a vendor. It was always fun to be greeted by that awesome dog and Grant so very business-like. R.I.P, my condolences to those who knew him more...

My condolences to all of Bruce's family. May good memories and love help you through this very difficult time.

Although our families became joined by Dolly & our son Curtis' marriage, after hearing many stories, we almost knew you Bruce! You raised an amazing daughter and we couldn't be more proud of Dolly! When Piper & Benny first told us your name was Grumpa, we said maybe you guys mean "Grampa" - Dolly piped in saying nope - he's their "Grumpa"! Sincere Condolences Chris, Dolly & families! Free from pain - may you rest in peace Bruce!

Uncle Bruce will be missed dearly by all.

Ill always remember walking into your house with the music cranked, guitar in hand or hands on the piano stopping every so often to put a smile on our faces with your jokes. Rest in peace uncle Bruce ❤️

I have so many memories of you from throughout my life, from spending time at your house as a kid before school (when I was terrified of you haha), to hanging out with Chris skateboarding as teenagers, to later working with you in the back area of The Kildonan beer vendor. Once I was old enough to really understand your sense of humor, you were an absolute riot. I’ll never forget the stories you told, rattling off names of your childhood friends like I should’ve known who they were... I didn’t, but I always played along. I drove by your place not long ago, hoping to catch you pissing around outside so I’d have a reason to stop in and say hi. You’ll be deeply missed. Thanks for always looking out for me, and for sending the most ridiculous Snapchat I’ve ever received.