Bruce Leslie Laver

Bruce Leslie Laver passed away suddenly on Wednesday, April 7th, 2021 at the age of 90 at his home in Huntsville, Ontario.

An only child, Bruce is predeceased by his mother Jessie (nee Weech) and his father Leslie Mercer Laver and his daughter-in-law Chris. Bruce is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 66 years, Elizabeth (nee Beresford) known to many as Betty, and his three beloved children; Rob of Huntsville, Stewart (Liz) of Canmore, Alberta, and Wendy of Huntsville, as well has his four grandchildren; Kelly Self (Doug) of Boise, Idaho, Jack Laver of Canmore, William Laver of Montreal, and Andrew Laver of Canmore and his great-granddaughter Caroline Self.

Born in Maple, Ontario on August 14th 1930, Bruce grew up at Keele Street and Major Mackenzie Drive in the house behind his father’s auto garage. Here, his life was full of outdoor adventures with family and friends sparking a lifelong love of the outdoors.

Bruce graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto in 1955. Though his tenure at U of T started in the Forestry School, he later switched to Chemical Engineering after a summer job in Northern Ontario with the Ministry of Lands and Forests brought him to realize that he would need to balance his love for nature with his love for Elizabeth, which would mean a career based closer to an urban centre.

Bruce began his career immediately after graduation and soon settled in Rosemere, Quebec with all three of his children born in Montreal over the next few years.

1962 brought him to a new job in Toronto and the young family settled in Don Mills. Great and lifelong friends for the whole family were made on Overbank Crescent. It was during this time that Bruce learned to fly and purchased his first aircraft, a small Aeronca on wheels.

After many trips, often with his children, to the Huntsville and Lake of Bays area looking for the ideal lakefront property, he purchased 300 feet of shoreline in 1966 near Dorset on Lake of Bays.

Many great family memories were made at the lake as the cottage was designed and built over the course of a few years by Bruce himself, along with invaluable help from his wife and, of course, his small children.

1972 saw another job change, this time to Huntsville. The family moved to their new home at Echo Bay on Fairy Lake, where Bruce and Elizabeth still call home.

In Huntsville, float planes came into Bruce’s life, which afforded him countless hours of flying time over the hills and lakes around Huntsville. Time spent tinkering on and—at one point completely rebuilding—his beloved Fleet Canuck equally complemented his flying time.

In both summer and winter, there were weekend afternoon flights to the shores of the many otherwise inaccessible lakes that lie along the perimeter of Algonquin Park. These trips, sometimes made with his not-so-trusty beagle in tow, truly brought Bruce peace. Always a prudent pilot, Bruce flew well into his 80s, until he no longer felt comfortable flying.

People who knew Bruce would describe him as a strong, kind and generous family man with a great sense of humour. Bruce always seemed to know the right thing to say in any situation. He loved people, however, he also loved his quiet times to reflect.

Bruce and Elizabeth were always a team, and together, they built strong and life-long friendships everywhere they went.

His last few years were spent caring for the love of his life as she struggled with blindness; he never left her side and looked after her every need. The strength of their love for each other has inspired us all.

He always knew how to do the right thing and was trusted by many for guidance and advice. He had a strong moral compass.

Sincere thanks to the staff of the ICU at the Huntsville and District Memorial Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.

Cremation has taken place and a small family celebration has occurred.