Bruce DOAK

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bruce Doak.  He is survived by his children, Ron, Gord, and Gaylene; grandchildren, Richard Turcott, Ryan Doak, Ashley Doak, Kyle Moore, and Kelsey Moore; great grandchildren, Jacob, Julia, William, Karson, Nolan, Gabriel; sister, Eileen; sister in law, Mabel Bouchard.  Bruce was predeceased by his loving wife of 64 years, Marion and his eldest daughter, Debbra.

Bruce came from a large family in Grandview, Manitoba and left the family farm at the age of 18 to follow in the footsteps of his siblings and joined the Army in Winnipeg.  His 26 year military career reads like a tour map of the world with postings to bases in Korea, Egypt, England, France, Holland, and Cyprus.  Following basic training in Shilo, he transferred from the Artillery Corps to the Postal Corps as an Administrative Clerk.  In 1953, operating from a base in a small village located in a virtual wilderness about 40 miles outside of Seoul, now Corporal Doak was tasked with distribution of much welcomed letters and parcels from home as he sorted mail for navel vessels stationed near by.

Between these foreign assignments, Bruce was posted to various locations across Canada.  It was during one such posting in Vancouver in 1954, he met the love of his life, Marion.  They were married in Tourguay, SK and together raised four children while moving continuously around the world.

In 1974, Sergeant Bruce Doak retired from his long and distinguished Army life with his final posting in Victoria and worked  - would you believe it - at Canada Post until 1991.  After retirement from the postal service, he and Marion relocated to Parksville where he lived until his passing.  Sadly, Bruce lost Marion in July of 2018.

Always interested in finding ways to help children in need, Bruce was an active member of the Parksville/Qualicum Elks 589 Lodge.  His interest and prowess at curling contributed to his curling team representing the local Lodge in winning the Elks Provincial Curling Bonspiel in Kelowna in 2004.   Bruce was also an avid golfer and until recently was a member of Eaglecrest Golf Club.  He also played at other local clubs, principally Qualicum Beach Memorial.

During one of his later career moves in the military in 1972, Bruce joined the Carberry, Manitoba Branch # 153 of the Royal Canadian Legion and retained a continuous, active membership for 35 years with memberships in the Prince Edward Branch # 61 in Langford, Mt Arrowsmith Branch #49 in Parksville, and Qualicum Branch #76.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Bruce’s memory may do so by making a donation in his name to the BC Kidney Foundation.

“We Will Miss You, Dad!”