It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Bruce Wayne (aka Batman) Boyce at the age of 65. After an extended battle with Cancer, Bruce lost his battle on May 28, 2021. He is survived by his son, Sean; his sister Joan (Reg); brother Neil (Mary) and Chris (Rose) a nephew who was more like a brother as they were raised together. A very special presence in Bruce’s life, Valerie Saulnier also misses her friend. Bruce was predeceased by his parents, Margaret and Noman Boyce, his sister Ellen and his brother Doug.
Bruce touched many lives over the years including numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends both here in Canada and overseas. Bruce had a passion for teaching. He was a teacher in Fort Chip many years ago and was a teacher in the Ben Calf Robe program at Grant McEwan University as well as NorQuest College. In 2006, Bruce moved overseas and was teaching in Thailand, China and Egypt until he returned to Canada in 2019.
He loved to travel the world and highlight was a visit to the pyramids. He often talked about the fascinating cultures and places he had the privilege of visiting including islands with white sandy beaches and his adventures, desert camping. When he could he enjoyed spending his summer in Edmonton, where he would visit with his family, golf and enjoy the festivals such as the Fringe, Edmonton Folk Festival, camping in the Rockies. He was a big fan of the Edmonton Oilers and Eskimos.
Thank you to the nurses at Unit 43 and Bruce’s treatment team of doctors at the Grey Nuns and Cross Cancer. He always spoke highly of the nurses and doctors that were on his team. A special thanks for Elisha Andrews-Lepine, Nurse Practitioner. We would not have been able to manage without your help and the help of all the homecare nurses that came to the house to assist with Bruce’s needs.
At Bruce’s request there will not be a service. His family will have a private celebration of his life once the COVID restrictions have been lifted. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.
Janice Saulnier says
Rest in Peace. Condolences to the family and Valerie xo
Wendy McClelland says
People like Bruce are truly rare. The death of Bruce truly saddens me. Sharing in your sorrow. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Reg Crawford says
Thank you. Bruce was an intensely private man and it is good to hear from others that he had a positive impact.
Ali elenany says
Rest in piece Mr Bruce you were very loved by everyone here in Egypt and you had a great impact on all of us here in Egypt. You meant a lot to us. Thanks for everything.
Reg Crawford says
Bruce’s family wishes to thank Valerie Saulnier for her friendship with Bruce and the effort she has made to provide him with a home and care over the last year. A special lady.
Bill Stinson says
I worked with Bruce when he was teaching at the Ben Calf Robe Program. He was a caring, thoughtful, respectful teacher of Indigenous Adult students. He was also a fierce protector of this program. As teachers in this type of setting, one rarely knows the lasting impact of their efforts. Bruce made an impact.
Reg Crawford says
During Bruce’s last few months, he and I spoke often about his work as a teacher. You are right; he was passionate about teaching, his students and his work with Indigenous students of all ages. It heartens me to see his reality reflected in the comments of others who worked with him. Thank you.
Luann Chalifoux says
Bruce taught me at NorQuest in the Ben Calf Robe program. I always looked forward to sitting in his classes. The conversations, the stories, the laughter. Over the years, Bruce became a dear friend of mine, but we lost contact when he moved away. I was looking him up, recently to reconnect and I came across this page. I had no idea he was gone.. My heart is broken. I am so sorry that I never got to talk to him again or even say goodbye. He will always be in my heart. Rest in peace BB
Jessica okeynan says
I was just talking about Bruce the other day! Wow this so sad to read. I had such respect for him. He fought for us at Norquest. He was our voice. He loved our people. He was just a great guy!.
I have a story for you what makes me always remember him forever and forever be grateful I got to meet him.
So me and 6 other students we all having problem trying to stay in our classes, 1 got fired from the student association, me I couldn’t catch on my assignments, 1 had no sitter, 1 couldn’t find funding to stay in class, 1 had no transportation, 1 had a drinking problem and the last one just had no motivation or desire to finish. 1 day we all meet in the lobby (at that time they had wrap around chair where the poles are) we were all whinning about how hard it was and we decided we weren’t going to quit and we gonna make our own club and help each out and make sure we we don’t quit. And Bruce was always up in everyones business lol so he watch us everyday for a a week or so….he would come sit there and listen to us. He finally comes to us and he asked us “what were doing n what we were up to”? We played it off like we weren’t doing anything. He was hmmm okay, so do you guys wanna a room to meet? We all looked at each and say yeah, and then he goes do you guy want to smudge? And we all said yes! LOL A few weeks go by and he comes to us and say hey you guys I got something to show you guys! Come with me. So we follow and he takes us to the 6th floor and had a room made for us……paint with native designs and a smudging area and he says casually. Now you can have your secret meetings in here. And winks and leaves us be to embrace with what was just given to us. So that term we just worked our butts off and created this club to help out us natives where it be shortage of food, busing, tutoring, help find funding……got round dances going…..you just for us…..as the term came to an end, we had to hand over the tourch and leave for the next students. That was our last year in the Ben Calf Program. We left with high hopes n moved on….several years later, we all happened to meet up at the same time in that lobby. And Bruce comes walking out of the auditorium and say hey I was just talking about you guys! Come with me I have something to show you! We were suprised, and like he knew we were coming, I don’t know. Lol We all laughed and we all tried to say we other things to do and we couldn’t stay. He say come on its not going to be long and was very persistent and adamant on us going. So we followwed him. Got on the evelator, got to the 6 floor, he say its a real quick ride lol and he was just smiling. We all get to the room and it was packed! With natives from all over and they had our talking stick we first started with…..everything was the same. He steps in and says hello to everyone and thanked them for coming to the meeting. And he had a very important announcement. He starts talking to the crowd and out of no where he says I would like to introduce you to the founders that started this club! And turns to us. Back in the elevator we already appointed one of us to talk lol its funny cauae we said if someones had to talk its gonna be you! Us promoting Patrick. We all even up speaking and thank them for keeping it going. It was such an amazing feeling know we did something like this! And he hlped us in as many ways as he could. It is now credited program that can go on your transcripts. And it’s called the Aboriginal Student Club!
FYI they might have changed the name by now.
Thank you Bruce Wayne Boyce for the wonderful privilege of having you as an assest to my people! You had a heart of gold