Bruce STEPHENS

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STEPHENS: Bruce Dale Stephens, resident of Port Alberni, BC, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at 12:49 a.m., while visiting his daughter’s home in Grande Prairie, AB. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife Carla, daughter Dawn Marie, son- in-law Dennis, and granddaughter Reanna. Dale was an amazing man: kind, loving, and caring. He loved to hunt, fish, work in the garden, watch sports on TV, and flick the remote from channel to channel till it drove everyone crazy. He excelled at his job as a long-haul truck driver where he worked hard and partied harder. He was a man with a gruff exterior that hid his generous nature and loving heart. He was also a very opinionated man who enjoyed verbalizing his extreme contempt for insurance companies, banks, and politicians; disliking them all equally with a raging passion. Dale was born in Brandon, MB, in 1950, into a large family. He remained in Brandon until he met the love of his life, Carla, whom he married in 1981. As his wife worked as a Civil Servant, she soon had Dale on a journey of continuous moves: from Brandon, MB, to Regina, SK, Yellowknife, NT, Edmonton, AB, and finally to Port Alberni, BC, where he retired to a much quieter lifestyle. Above all things, Dale’s greatest joy was his family, he loved to spend time with his wife, daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandson. Dale is survived by his loving wife Carla, daughter Dawn Mare Jempson, son-in-law Dennis Jempson, grandchildren: Teisha (Chantelle) Asselin, Kelton Jempson (fiancé Chantelle Haines), and Reanna Jempson; great-grandson Isaiah Page-Taddei (his “little man”); siblings: Joyce Castle, Elaine LeLonde, Linda (Blaine) Wakefield, Bill (Cathy) Stephens, and Brenda McLeod; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Frank Stephens in 1974 and his mother Irene Stephens in 1998. The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to Dr. R.D. Lund and the Palliative Care Staff of Port Alberni, BC, as well as to the amazing Oncology personnel at the Victoria Caner Clinic for their compassion and exceptional care. Dale was cremated at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie, AB and had previously asked that his ashes be scattered on Mt. Arrowsmith overlooking the Alberni Valley and his home. Rest peacefully dear one, for you have left a void that can never be filled.Missing you now and loving you always.Your essence will remain inour hearts till we meet again.For those who wish to do so, memorial donations may be made on Dale’s behalf to Heart and Stroke of Canada (200, 1212 West Brodway, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V2).Condolences may be sentby visitingwww.oliversfuneralhome.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 29, 2017