BruceNeil BILLINGS

BILLINGS, Bruce Neil (1932-2017) Passed away peacefully in his home in Burlington on May 11, 2017, surrounded by family in his 85th year. He is predeceased by his mother, Verna Billings, and survived by his wife of 57 years, Anne Marie (nee Peters), his two sons, David and John, his daughter Gail (Ed Schmidt) and his grandchildren Allie and Eddie Schmidt. Bruce “Train” spent his childhood in Hamilton, starting work at an early age to help support his family, but still attended Delta Collegiate and played center on the basketball and football teams. He then worked for the Hamilton Cotton Co. as a buyer and spent much of his free time playing string bass in several musical ensembles. Later he moved on to the business school at The University of Western Ontario where he met Anne. While there, he also greatly enjoyed his time in the University Navy Training Division, sailing the Great Lakes, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After graduation Bruce married and settled in Burlington, studied metallurgy at McMaster, worked for DOFASCO and Curtis-WrightMICAN, and raised his family. Bruce is remembered as cheerful and energetic. He was a big man who worked very hard to provide for his family, but he also indulged in his many hobbies including metallurgy, pottery, and woodworking. He loved music, particularly jazz (Thelonius Monk), and he played harmonica, and then there was playing bridge and spending time with his family and friends at their cottage in Magnetawan, ON. He will be greatly missed. According to Bruce’s wishes, his body has been cremated. A private family ceremony will take place. Donations to the Salvation Army in his honour would be welcome. www.smithsfh.com