William Bruce Fillmore (Bruce) passed away on December 24, 2024, at home in the loving presence of his children June and Gordon Fillmore and his granddaughters Lauren and Katrina Fillmore.
One of four children, he was born in Amherst Nova Scotia on April 27, 1927. He spent his boyhood in Amherst Nova Scotia but left home at the age of 18 to make his way in the world. He began as an electrician apprentice at the General Electric factory in Peterborough, but what began initially as picking up some extra money by working weekends as a labourer for bricklayers led to his switching from an electrician apprenticeship to one in masonry. When asked many years later why he switched apprenticeships he explained that bricklayers were paid 15 cents an hour more at the time, a significant difference in the forties.
Throughout the late forties his trade as mason took him to various cities, wherever there was work. In 1948 he came to the Lakehead and began working for a local masonry contractor. He quickly became a foreman and eventually started his own masonry contracting firm which he operated throughout the fifties and into the early sixties. He would on occasion point out buildings and homes in the city which he or his contracting firm had bricked, many of which still stand today.
In Thunder Bay, in 1948 he met the love of his life Muriel Elizabeth (Betty) (nee Hardiman) at a dance held at the Elk’s Lodge. While courting her he had to bus from Port Arthur to Fort William to see her, a trip he made frequently. He recounted how he would take her to the Lorna Doone Restaurant on Syndicate where you could get a good dinner for 2, including pie for dessert, for $3.50.
They were married on August 24, 1949. Bruce and Betty resided in Thunder Bay until 1997 when they moved to Daytona Beach Florida. Sadly, Betty predeceased him on December 26th, 2008, after over 59 years of marriage. They had a close and loving relationship through all the ups and downs of life during their marriage. What ever happened they always had each other. They are together again.
Bruce was employed most of his life in the construction industry. He was executive Vice President of Tom Jones and Sons Construction from 1969 until 1983, and then ran his own construction and development company, Bay-Walsh Ltd. until 1997 when he sold his interest in the business and moved with Betty to Daytona Beach Florida full time to manage a commercial mall he had developed there.
In November of 2020 he decided to return to Thunder Bay to be closer to his family. Since his return he resided with his daughter June until his death.
Bruce was an avid golfer and from the mid-fifties to 1997 was a member of the Fort William Country Club which he rejoined as a house member upon his return to Thunder Bay. He was generous, gregarious, and fun loving and was known for his sense of humour which he kept right up to his death.
He was also a member of the Elks Lodge for many decades until 1997. He enjoyed playing pool there, a talent he joked, he picked up as part of a misspent youth.
Bruce was very close to his children and grandchildren Lauren, Katrina, and Grace Fillmore. The family visited him annually in Florida, coincidentally in the winter, while he was living there and, in the summers, he would come back to visit in Thunder Bay. Once he returned home to live full time, Lauren and Katrina assisted June in looking after their “Papa” and spent time with him hearing his stories and sharing good times. He is sorely missed by his children and grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents Robert Mitchell Fillmore and Blanche Elizabeth Fillmore, and his sisters Pearl Cormier and Jean Delong all of Amherst Nova Scotia.
He is survived by his children and grandchildren, his sister Betty Delong, his nephews Kim and Kevin Delong and his niece Brooke Lyn Searle all of Nova Scotia.
The family wish to thank Doctor Brian Hartford for the excellent and compassionate care he provided for Bruce since his return to Canada.
A celebration of life for Bruce will be held at the Da Vinci Centre, 340 Waterloo Street, Thunder Bay Ontario on Saturday January 11, 2025, commencing at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family would request donations to the George Jefferies Children’s Centre in Bruce’s name.
On-line Condolences may be sent to www.blakefuneralchapel.com
