INRIG,
Bruce Douglas
Following a life well lived; it is with great sadness the family of Bruce Douglas Inrig announce that he has taken his final flight and passed away peacefully on September 04, 2011 surrounded by family and friends following a brief illness. We are all grateful Bruce lived a full and wonderful life.
Predeceased by the love of his life and wife Caroline Elizabeth “Betty” on April 30, 2003, Bruce is survived by and will be sadly missed by his sons, Doug and Scott (Glenda) and daughter Anne (Charlie) as well as his grandchildren Tyler (Nickie), Krista (Jon) and Bryan (Deirdre), along with his great grandchildren Kristian and Alli and many nieces and nephews, who will all miss his love and support.
Bruce was born in Hamilton, Ontario on November 15, 1920, the youngest child of James and Catherine Inrig. Bruce is predeceased by his 5 siblings.
Bruce joined the war effort in 1940, training as a fighter pilot. He left the air force in 1946 when he joined the federal fisheries. He “re-upped” to the air force to fly jet fighters until his retirement from the forces in 1964. He then started his new career in the logging industry, first as a scaler and then bullbucker, working for Canfor at Nimpkish and Vernon camps until his retirement in 1985.
A gifted carpenter/finisher, Bruce set to work on he and Betty’s retirement home at Cape Lazo. Built primarily with wood milled from the Alaskan sawmill and shakes from the North Island it was a labour of love and quite an accomplishment. A “take charge” type of man, Bruce was instrumental in the construction of the Air force Association 888 Wing building, served on the Wing executive and was still volunteering his carpentry skills for the association right up until he passed.
Bruce loved and was good at hunting and fishing - still hunting at last year’s successful moose and deer hunting trip. All who hunted and fished with him loved to hear his many well-told stories. Bruce was an excellent shot once being the Alberta skeet shooting champion.
Bruce’s memory was amazingly sharp. He could accurately tell you the time, date and name of all involved in his many stories. His family loved to hear him sing his funny songs and tell his descriptive stories at various reunions. He was in his glory last summer at his 90th birthday celebration surrounded by his family and friends.
Bruce was fortunate to be able to travel to most parts of the world during his retirement and was still traveling a few months ago to play his favourite game “Let It Ride” in Reno.
The family would like to thank Bruce’s many wonderful friends, including but not limited to his many friends at the Wing and Legion. Also thanks to the emergency staff, Palliative care nurses at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Dr. Douglas Anderson for their compassion and professional care to Bruce.
A celebration of Bruce’s wonderful life will be held Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the Air force Association 888 Wing, 1298 Military Row, Comox, BC starting at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests with thanks that donations be made to the Air Cadets 386 Squadron, Royal Canadian AIr Cadets c/o 888 Wing, P.O. Box 430, Lazo, BC V0R 2K0.
“Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue”
“Forever in our thoughts, till we meet again.”