Obituary of Bruce Stanley McVean

March 4, 1924 – Sceptre, Saskatchewan

August 10, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Bruce passed away peacefully on August 10, 2021 after 97 years of an incredible life. He was a much loved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend.

Growing up in Sceptre, SK during the Great Depression, Bruce was used to doing without. Because of this, he left Sceptre at the age of seventeen to enlist in the army. He attended boot camp in Regina, advanced training in Red Deer and was shipped overseas in 1941. He landed in Normandy, France on D-Day plus 7 (June 13, 1944) then returned home to Canada in 1945. Back in Saskatchewan he obtained his high school diploma and then was accepted into the Bachelor of Commerce program at UBC in 1946. After graduating, he moved to Calgary where he began an articling position. In 1950 he met his wife Iris on a blind date in Lethbridge. It was love at first sight and they were married within six months of meeting.

Bruce excelled at accounting as he was very good with numbers. He set up private practice as a Chartered Accountant, making many contacts. He eventually left his work as a CA and became a very successful entrepreneur, building and growing multiple businesses with his exceptional people and money skills. He was involved in many charitable organizations and spent countless hours donating his time. He was a volunteer with the Calgary Stampede, served on the Board of Directors, eventually becoming a lifetime Director. He was a member of Kinsmen where he met many people who became life-long friends. He was also involved with K-40, Rotary and the Shriners.

A huge sports fan, Bruce loved football and hockey and held season tickets to both of his beloved Calgary teams, the Stampeders and the Flames. He was a fantastic tennis and badminton player, playing for years at the Glencoe Club. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Calgary Golf and Country Club. He played tennis and golf into his 90’s. He and Iris loved travelling and they travelled the world, taking many memorable trips with friends and family. On a trip to Hawaii in 1973 they discovered paradise, purchased a condo on Maui and returned every year for forty years. Bruce was a music lover and was blessed with the ability to play many instruments “by ear”.  He loved to sit at the piano after dinner and play his favourite songs, even better if someone would sing along with him. He was a born entertainer.

Bruce was known best for his upbeat, outgoing personality. He loved people of all kinds and was always incredibly engaging, making friends wherever he went. He loved a party and was usually the last to leave. He was always helping others and was enormously generous. Bruce loved his family more than anything; he worked hard to provide them with a wonderful life.  He instilled amazing values in his children and grandchildren, led by example and always had words of wisdom for those who would listen. He was deeply loved by all who knew him and will be dearly missed.

He leaves behind Iris, his wife of seventy-one years, his son Ian (Debra), daughters, Susan, Karen (Mike) and Cathy; as well as five grandchildren, Conor, Mikaela, Ryan, Lauren and Katrin. He was predeceased by his daughter Lorraine and his four siblings.

A Private Family Service will be held at McInnis & Holloway. Memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Bruce McVean, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Bruce's memorial card can be viewed using this link