In Memoriam – GOWDY, Bruce Douglas
February 6, 1930 – December 13, 2025
Passed away peacefully at Southlake Residential Care Village in Newmarket ON, on Saturday, December 13th, 2025 at 95 years of age.
Loving husband of Mia (nee Leemet) for 63 years. Beloved father of Katarina (John Hele), Doug (Kim), and Karen (Charles Mountain). Proud grandfather of Katherine (Brendan Karson), Carson, Trevor, Grace and John. Loving uncle to Peter (Ellen), Stephen (Liz) and Nancy (Tom Maher). Predeceased by his parents Beatrice (nee Brown) and Douglas Morrison Gowdy, as well as his sister Barbara and her husband Bruce Kendall.
Bruce’s education included attending Pickering College in Newmarket and graduating from the University of Western Ontario’s business school in 1954. He attained his Chartered Accountant designation from Clarkson Gordon, and worked in various senior financial positions in industry throughout his career. Bruce also served on numerous community organizations, especially during his years living in Ajax, where he was Finance Chairman of the Ajax Public School Board in 1965 and President of the Rotary Club in 1967-68.
Bruce’s passion while in school, his working years and into retirement was bridge. He became Life Master #269 in 1949, which was a record at the time as he was only 19 years old. Bruce was inducted into the Canadian Bridge Federation Hall of Fame in 2014. His bridge accomplishments were lifelong and many, including winning a bronze medal as part of Canada’s team at the World Bridge Olympiad in 1972. He also represented Canada in the World Team Olympiads in Turin in 1960, Monte Carlo in 1976 and New Orleans in 1978.
His other interests included curling and golf, achieving a hole-in-one at the age of 87. Bruce and Mia lived an amazing retirement, enjoying theatre, opera, live music and various travel adventures.
The family’s heartfelt thanks go to the caring staff at Southlake. A private family service will be held with interment in the spring.
Arrangements entrusted to Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home