Obituary of Bruce Hamilton HAMPSHIRE

November 22, 1927 – Sydney, Australia
April 4, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Bruce Hampshire, beloved husband of Shereane, passed away on April 4, 2020, at the age of 92 years.

Bruce was born in Sydney, Australia and spent much of his youth as a  tennis player  and lifesaver on Bondi Beach.  He left Australia in 1953 to attend the coronation of Elizabeth II and to explore England.  Bruce’s love of travel and adventure brought him to Canada in 1954.   After living in Montreal for two years, he then travelled across Canada to see the famous Calgary Stampede.  It was in Calgary where he met Shereane and they were later married in 1958.  Shortly afterwards they moved to Australia and after a couple of years they sail to Europe

landing in Italy to begin their backpacking adventures. They eventually settled in London.   It was during this time that Bruce was able to share his love of the arts with Shereane and introduce her to live theatre, opera and ballet.  They found work and used what they had to attend any cultural event that was offered. It was during their travels that Shereane fell pregnant and they then decided to return to Canada to begin a family.

Bruce and Shereane were blessed with three daughters, Adrienne, Alicia and Alexis.  Bruce got to choose the girls names if they stayed in Canada and he was always very proud of his family.

Bruce proudly became a Canadian citizen in 1965.  He had a long and fulfilling career with PanCanadian Oil and Gas (now Ovintiv) in the legal department.  He was one of the first legal assistants in the oil patch and paved the way for others in the field.  Bruce’s outgoing and

charismatic personality endeared him to colleagues at PanCanadian, many of whom would become lifelong friends and continue to connect with him long after retirement.

Anyone who knew Bruce knew he had a passion for movies and the arts.  He supported the Calgary Philharmonic, Alberta Ballet, the Calgary Opera Society and Theatre Calgary. Bruce loved his trips to New York to see Broadway plays and musicals.  He never missed an Academy Awards show, and he loved to remind everyone that he was the same age as “Oscar.”  He shared his love of the arts with his family, taking them to countless concerts and movies over the years.

Some of the fondest memories Bruce recalled through the years was of the family vacations to Lake Pend Orielle in Northern Idaho.  The family would vacation at the same spot for 20 years with family and friends often joining year after year.

Bruce was a member of Christ Church for forty-five years and his faith would be a foundation on which many relationships would flourish and continued strength through the fellowship at Christ Church.

Bruce was a kind and true gentleman. When asked how he was doing, he would reply “dangerous well” with a twinkle in his eye.

He will be missed dearly by his wife, Shereane; his three daughters Adrienne, Alicia, and Alexis (Dyane); his three grandsons, Sean, Thomas, and Bennett; numerous nieces and nephews in Australia; his niece Doree in New Orleans; and by all those whose lives he touched. He was the life of the party and his infectious spirit and kind demeanour will be missed by all those who knew him.

A Funeral Service will be held at the Anglican Parish of Christ Church Elbow Park at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos are welcome to be shared and viewed on Bruce’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com