Bruce Pospiech

POSPIECH, Bruce William Allen – Surrounded by his family, Bruce passed peacefully due to complications from pneumonia, on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at the St. Catharines General Hospital. Bruce was born October 3, 1946 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Predeceased by his father Nicholas (2000) and his mother Joanne (Saganski) (2014). Survived by his wife Maureen (nee Donihee) of 48 years, his three children Matthew Carleton (Sarah), Daniel Nicholas and Kathleen Mary. He was very proud of his only grandson Nicholas Phillip Rosebush. Also survived by his brother Rob (late Jan 2001) and sister Ruth Hunter (Glenn), nephew Raymond Hunter (Tracey) and nieces Wendy Beam (Ken Stewart), Jolene Ellwood and Amanda, sister-in-law Barbara Donihee (Robert Graham) of Rockcliffe. Bruce arrived by train from Prince Albert to his lifelong home in Virgil, at the ripe old age of 2 weeks. He attended Col. John Butler, Virgil Public and Niagara District Secondary School. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Carleton University in 1969. He began working for Chipman Chemicals in 1971 and married Maureen the same year. During this time he began farming his own grapes and that of his father. Having promised Maureen the home of her dreams he rebuilt the original farm house on the creek to suit their growing family. He enjoyed the farming and winery community and was President for two terms of the Niagara Fruit and Vegetable Assoc. He also felt giving back to his village and town was important. He was Chairman of the St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Council where he founded a youth group. He was also President of the NOTL Community Hospital, during an extensive fundraiser. Bruce volunteered at Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 124 for the fish and chip nights. In Virgil he volunteered with the Virgil Businessmen’s Assoc., by helping design the new tent, then putting it up and taking it down for years, with the help of “selected” volunteers of the Virgil Stampede. Rain or shine, country music blasting, beer in the truck, tarps, rope and twine flying everywhere. When working the Canadian Cancer Society for over 20 years, he would say “Maureen knocks and talks, I drive the rural routes and count the money.” He enjoyed being Chairman of the NOTL Christmas Parade Committee for the past 30 years. The thrill never went away. For that he won Town Council’s event of the year. He also won the “Peggy Anderson” award for volunteer of the year. He truly loved NOTL Warriors Minor Lacrosse. He got the town to change the team colors to red and black (NOTL town colors – who knew?) before a Provincial Tournament. For the personal fulfilment coaching gave him and the enjoyment summer camping trips gave the entire family he mentioned that memorial donations to the NOTL Minor Lacrosse Assoc., would be much appreciated. The family will receive friends at MORGAN FUNERAL HOME, 415 Regent St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, on Monday, April 22 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. A celebration of Bruce’s wonderful life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124, 410 King St., Niagara-on-the Lake on Tuesday, April 23 from 1-5 p.m. Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and women and the love of children; who never lacks appreciation of the earth’s beauty, or fails to express it; who follows his dreams and pursues excellence in each task; and brings out the best in others, giving only the best of himself. This was Bruce