Obituary of Bruce Millan Lyall

March 16, 1945 – Edmonton, Alberta

June 7, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Bruce Lyall, beloved father of Melissa, Stefanie, and Alex—and husband of Judy Gilbert—of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at the age of 78 years.

Bruce was born in Edmonton, AB, on March 16, 1945. He was the second of three children to Millan and Mary Lyall; sisters Barbara Middleton and Jean Sefton.

Bruce loved learning—and he loved education. He worked for a year in Europe before settling in Calgary. After teaching at Henry Wisewood High School, Bruce moved to Lord Beaverbrook’s English department, where he spent the remainder of his career. His students and colleagues knew him as the “cool teacher” who always had the latest music playing in his classroom, wore clogs (and—later—Crocs), and who had his ear pierced behind his thick, flowing, permed hair. Bruce was infamous for torturing students with surprise quizzes on the Friday before, or the Monday after, a long weekend—and he had a cynical sense of humour that everybody loved.

In his twenties and thirties Bruce was an avid cross-country skier, had a passion for sporty cars, and was a fantastic amateur chef. Later in life he volunteered for local community theatres— though he preferred to stay backstage rather than out front—he became obsessed with getting tattoos, worked on his flourishing garden, and was able to return to Europe for vacations and adventure.

Bruce will be most fondly remembered for his love of cats and his devotion to his family. He was a wordsmith, not a fighter, and was happiest in his favourite chair with a book—and a pet— on his lap.

In living memory of Bruce Lyall, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.