Obituary of David Bruce Wilson
D. Bruce Wilson P.Eng, Ph.D of Port Colborne Ont., passed away peacefully, Wednesday, March 27th 2024 at age 75 in the company of his children and grandchildren. Bruce was blessed to have grown up living at the entrance to Canatara Park in Sarnia with his younger brothers John and Jeff. He excelled academically throughout high school, winning the highest marks at Northern Collegiate in all five years followed by excellence in Chemical Engineering at Queen’s where he received his B.Sc in 1971 and his Ph. D in 1976. He received scholarships and academic awards too numerous to mention and remained close to his many Science ‘71 classmates. During high school he canoed with friends extensively throughout Northern Ontario and Algonquin Park.
At Imperial Oil in Sarnia and then a lengthy career at Suncor in Ft. McMurray he was an expert in statistical analysis and refinery process optimization.
Following retirement from Suncor he moved to Port Colborne to live with his old Queen’s pal Marg Tanaszi where he continued work as a consultant to Suncor and took up competition in Ontario Masters Athletics in discus, shot put, javelin hammer throw and weight throw, winning medals in his age category. Bruce enjoyed training vigorously for these events, including one time holding a plank for five minutes! He made many new friends at the local YMCA while doing so.
Bruce is survived and dearly loved by his children whom he was very proud of, Dr Sarah Wilson Ph.D of St Catherine’s and grandson Eric, Dr Laura Wilson, her husband Tyler Gnass, grandson Maxwell of Vancouver and son Matthew Wilson of Ottawa; Bruce is also survived by Jeff’s wife Linda Wilson of Goderich and his brother John H Wilson and partner Jo’Anne Strekaf of Calgary. Bruce was predeceased by his parents, Herbert and Ina Wilson; wife Linda (nee Laidley) Wilson of Sarnia and brother Dr Jeff Wilson Ph.D of Goderich.
In keeping with the family’s wishes, funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines. A private celebration of Bruce’s life will be held for family and friends in Sarnia at a later date.
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