We announce with great sorrow the sudden passing of Bruce at his home on September 7, 2021, at age 56. He is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Mary, and his three children, Victoria (Andrew Shields), Ethan, and Zoe, as well as his grandson, Colby Shields. Bruce is predeceased by his grandmother, Dorothy Smeaton, also known as “Aunt Dot”; and his parents, Robert Locis and Margaret Locis (Smeaton). He is the youngest of three children and is survived by his sister Ruth Locis and his brother Glenn Locis (Susan Shand).
Bruce was born in Chippawa, Ontario. He spent his youth swimming and bridge jumping in Chippawa Creek. Bruce’s first jobs were at Collins Concessions and then Radio Shack in Niagara Falls. His first car was a 74’ Volkswagen Rabbit, which he dubbed “Kurt”. He graduated from West Lane high school, and then completed a program at Mohawk College for computer programming. After college, his first job was at Prudential in Kitchener, where he met his wife and love of his life, Mary. Mary and Bruce were married on February 29, 1992 – they purposely wed on a leap year because they concluded it would make for especially special anniversaries. They welcomed their first child, Victoria, in 1995, and then Ethan in 1999 and Zoe in 2001. Bruce built a career as a Project Manager, and at the time of his passing was working at Lone Wolf Technologies in Cambridge.
Bruce was an involved father and never missed a swim meet or a soccer game. He was the master of dad jokes and claimed that “nobody could do dumb the way he did dumb”. He was a passionate Seattle Seahawks fan and a car enthusiast. Though he had many interests, his family was his life. He took joy in planning the many family vacations that were taken over the years. Though the family “endured” long drives over several days to get to their destination, they will look back on these memories fondly. Bruce never missed a chance to tell his children he was proud of them, and often remarked that he was “lucky his children are all smart and good looking.”
Bruce’s sense of humor and his positive, forward-facing disposition towards life, especially in the face of adversity, will always be remembered by his family. He was their “rock”, biggest supporter and protector.
He will be missed by many brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews – Megan (Ryan) Kish, Lizzie Murphy, Catherine Locis, Suzanne Sherwood (Warren Williams), Samantha Williams (predeceased), Clarke Williams, Graham Williams, Vanda (Allan) Thebarge, Maddy Thebarge, Thomas Thebarge, Craig Sherwood (Erica Scime), Ellery Sherwood, Emma Sherwood, Melanie Sherwood (Mark Kammerer), Marion Sherwood, Edgar Sherwood, Roland and Adelaide Sherwood.
COVID protocols still exist, and a private graveside ceremony will take place on September 16, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society in Bruce’s honour.
Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 ww.wallcustance.com.
A tree will be planted in memory of Bruce W. Locis in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.