M BRUCE PATERSON  BCLS (Retired)

October 16, 1919 – June 27, 2010 It is with great sadness that we inform you that Bruce Paterson passed away quietly at the Invermere hospital 27 June 2010.

Bruce was a land surveyor for the Valley for 20 years until he retired when he was 80, which was the end of a long career since attaining his certification in 1950.

  He was born in Cranbrook BC 16 October 1919. In his long life he had many adventures such as working the summers on the SS Whitehorse, a paddle steamer on the Yukon river plying between Whitehorse and Dawson City, apprenticing as a Saw Filer in the lumber industry. He also attended the University of British Columbia, which was broken up by some wartime service, and was discharged as Captain after serving in Newfoundland as an electronics control officer.

  After retuning to University he graduated with a Civil Engineering degree. He then articled under the survey company of Underhill & Underhill in Vancouver, later moving on to general practice in the Lower Mainland, spending some time with Morgan Stewart and Co.

  He moved to the Valley in 1979 and worked many surveys for the developments that were taking place in this area.

  As a past member of the Lions Club and his involvement in the McVittie house at Fort Steele along with general community involvement, the Columbia valley was a big part of his life.

Bruce is survived by his only daughter Anne (Bill) Phillips, grandchildren Bruce and Shielagh, great grandchildren Alex and Veronica Langton, all of Red Deer, AB. Nephew Chris (Jaquie) Marshall of Lethbridge, AB. Nieces Sally (Doug) Service and family of Quesnel, BC. and Lynn Forsting and family of South Dakota.

There will no Funeral service at Bruce’s request.