WERRY, William James "Bruce"

Peacefully in his 93rd year, Bruce Werry of Huntsville on 23 February 2022, “building his stairway to paradise…”

 Dearly missed by his three daughters, Lisa of Haliburton, Pam of Barrie and Celia (Perry) of Forest.  Always adored by his grandchildren, Jessica (Kris), Christopher, Stephanie (Daniel), Patrick, Lauren (Eric), Meghan (Matt) and Nathan, Devin (Andrew) and Taylor.  A special twinkle in the eyes of his great-grandchildren, Ellie, Isla, Frankie, Violet, Harriet, Blake and Hazel.  Predeceased by his travel companion and better-half of 67 years, Lenore Werry, his parents, Ethel (Brien) and Stanley Werry of Toronto, and his son-in-law, Steve Copeland of Barrie. 

 Bruce Werry (University of Toronto, Victoria College 1950) will be remembered for his inquisitive spirit, relentless pursuit of new horizons and storytelling prowess.  Equal parts stubborn and sweet, when he wasn’t teaching band or mathematics at Huntsville High School, he could be found paddling on Fairy Lake, or, in time, getting walloped by his wife on the golf course near their home-away-from-home in Montserrat, West Indies.  In the early 1960s, Bruce packed up his family and headed to Ghana, West Africa where he assumed his post at the Teacher’s College in Kumasi.  In no time, he had made his way into the local drumming band.  Fast forward to jaunts across Europe, the Middle East and China, Bruce was also well-versed in Canadian landscapes having captained an RV bound for the Yukon, with Lenore by his side.  His observations, both mundane and marvellous, will live on in his many travel journals, photographs and collection of curiosities.

 While his suitcase was always ready to be packed with his colourful collection of polyester pants, Bruce found equal enjoyment in his time at home on Lake Drive.   From Rotary plays and barbershop quartet performances to Trinity Choir rehearsals and well-planned rounds to find all the bargains to be had at Huntsville’s neighborhood grocery stores, Bruce was a familiar face in the community and will be missed.

 Friends will be invited to celebrate the life of one of Glenn Miller and George Gershwin’s biggest fans at a future date this spring.  Memorial donations may be made to Huntsville Hospital Foundation or Trinity United Church, Huntsville.

A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity United Church, 33 Main Street, East, Huntsville on Saturday, July 30th at 1pm, a reception will follow in Trinity Hall.