Obituary of Ruth Ann and Bruce McPhail

Ruth Ann and Bruce McPhail We the family of Bruce and Ruth Ann McPhail are deeply saddened to announce their sudden and tragic deaths resulting from a motor vehicle accident which occurred on Thursday June 5th in the US while they were returning from a vacation. There is some solace to be found in the knowledge that they died instantly, together and after one of the happiest, most beautiful trips they ever had made. In multiple ways and over many, many years Bruce and Ruth Ann wove themselves into the very fabric of the Bracebridge community, and we extend our condolences and sympathies to the many dear friends, neighbours, students, colleagues, customers, Rotarians, Probus and Investment club members who are touched by their loss. We share your heartbreak and we will ALL miss them terribly. They are survived by their children Patti (Eric), Heather (Sheldon), Scott (Janet), Mark (Erin), Cynthia, and Brent (Melinda); by their grandchildren Regan (Courtney), Dana, Adam and Grace; by their great-grandchildren Landon, Madison and Taylor; by siblings Murray McPhail; Doug (Jean) McFadzen, Jane Glaves , Pat McFadzen and Maggie McFadzen. They are predeceased by brothers Duncan (Pat) McFadzen, and John (Maggie) McFadzen, and by Hamish and Randy. Ruth Ann was born on August 20th, 1938 and Bruce on April 29th, 1940. He relentlessly accused Ruth Ann of "robbing the cradle", since he was supposedly so much younger than she. Ruth Ann and Bruce married in 1979, and stayed that way for 35 years, having created their own version of the Brady Bunch: 3 + 3. Unfortunately there was no maid Alice, those duties fell exclusively to Bruce, who took them on with vigour and expertise. Ruth Ann however was the force that bound these two families, ensuring that everyone was treated with love, fairness and equity; qualities that we all value in each other today. Together they were a dynamic couple, whose active love of community, the outdoors and people kept them younger than their years. Family and friends meant everything to them, and they were happiest when the house was filled with hungry guests of varied opinions to feed and banter with. Robert Bruce McPhail was an icon in Bracebridge. To say they broke the mold when they made Brucie would be the understatement of the century. His unique character, humour and knowledge on practically any topic made him extraordinarily interesting and engaging. For 30 years, Bruce was the go-to "haberdasher" of Bracebridge, running his clothing store McPhails of Muskoka on Manitoba Street. Through hard work, expertise and perseverance Bruce made a success of the business , in an ever-changing environment. However, all of that was just a facade for his real reason for being in retail: he simply just loved talking with people. Every conversation for Bruce was a learning opportunity. He truly wanted to know everything about you, and had a passion for making connections to other people and places. His thirst for knowledge was unquenchable. He read incessantly on every topic imaginable. Bruce was also extremely dedicated to the community and to his country, providing service for many years as a Rotarian (Paul Harris Fellow); Masonic Lodge Member, Kinsmen, Town Council Member; and as a decorated veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces (UNEF) peacekeeping mission. There are certainly many others, and it is impossible to capture them all here. An avid outdoorsman and fisherman (fish FEARED him!), Bruce made countless canoe carrying trips and whitewater adventures into Alqonquin Park, to Northern Ontario and Quebec, to Baffin Island, to the Black River and many more. The special bond that he had with his canoe trip brothers as a result was worth several lifetimes together. As one of them commented recently "I've walked many miles with Bruce, and for most of them he was lost". Bruce was not just a good man, he was a great friend and a fantastic husband/father/grandfather. There will never, ever be another Robert Bruce McPhail. Brucie - you are cherished, loved and missed forever by us all. Ruth Ann McPhail deserves a medal for being married to Bruce McPhail. There's no other way to say it. She coached, guided, cajoled, trained, re-trained Bruce into behaving himself - AND loved every minute of it. Not that it worked, he still didn't always behave himself, but it sure was fun to watch all those years. Ruth Ann was an incredibly strong, independent woman, who raised three teenage children as a single mother, while working full time and finishing her university degree part time. She gave everything of herself in her very fulfilling career as a teacher, as she cared deeply about each and every student that came under her wing. Mom/Granny/RA as she signed her notes to us all was the epitome of grace, beauty and charm. Heaven help you however if you were called outside for a "garage talk". That meant that Mom/Granny/RA had recognized that there was an issue to be dealt with in private, and in no uncertain terms you would be told about the issue and what was needed to be done to rectify it. Also an avid outdoor enthusiast, she thoroughly enjoyed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, swimming, sailing, canoeing, whitewater canoeing and kayaking. Every year, she set the goal of swimming around the island, a distance of 2.2km, and she would do it, including last summer in her 75th year. We will desperately miss those glorious days at the island together, with Mom and Bruce and the quality family time we all enjoyed. Ruth Ann too was passionate about the community, serving as President of the Probus Club of Bracebridge and as a long time member. She was also a self-taught investment aficionado, as a member of the local investment club and successfully managed most of her own portfolio. You could search for a long time, and it would be very hard to find a mother as kind, caring and compassionate, with as much love and pride for all of her family, and especially for her six children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mom/Granny/RA - you will live in our hearts forever, with the same warmth and tenderness that you have given all of us. Bruce and Ruth Ann - you loved each other dearly, and that love only grew stronger over the years as you supported and nurtured one another as a happy couple, sailing, hiking or travelling together. We are blessed to have learned so very much from you and to have spent the time together that we have, and we will always think of you with endless love. The McPhail/Drewry/McFadzen family. Please join us at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge on Saturday June 21st from 1 to 5pm to help celebrate the lives of Ruth Ann and Bruce. Light food and refreshments will be served, as will many stories. If you wish to make any memorial donations, we would very gratefully ask that you direct them to either the Rotary Club of Bracebridge or the Bracebridge Legion. After the event, the Bracebridge Legion will be open to those who would like to continue the celebration of life.