Obituary of Bruce Charles Hedderick

June 28, 1938 – Calgary, Alberta

October 3, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Bruce Hedderick, beloved husband of Edith ‘Edie’ Hedderick (nee Ewart), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the age of 86 years.

Bruce was born on June 28, 1938, and lived his whole life in Calgary, AB. He graduated from the University of Alberta in Calgary with a Bachelor of Education degree, majoring in physical education and minoring in mathematics. He then went back and got his master’s in mathematics while he was teaching. During his university days, he was the manager of the basketball team and represented the university on its ski club by competing in ski jumping, moguls, and downhill racing, and was a lifeguard at the Banff Hot Springs.

Bruce married Edie in 1965. Married for 59 years, they met as neighbours, both living in an apartment complex in southwest Calgary. Edie had just travelled from Ontario as a registered nursing assistant with plans to travel across Canada when she met Bruce and started a whole new adventure. 

He was a member of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, teaching physical education, math, and computer science to junior high school students. He was a much-loved teacher, and he coached many of the school’s basketball teams to victory. For the last part of his career, he transitioned to a full-time resource teacher, specializing in supporting those students who were falling through the cracks, and working one-on-one with those who had difficulties in reading and mathematics. He said that this brought him the greatest professional satisfaction when he could help a student get back on track and academically succeed. He passed on this passion for teaching to his children and grandchildren, with his son becoming a lecturer at SAIT, his daughter a university professor, and his grandson a high school teacher.

He retired early and this was when he really flourished, chasing all his passions, from sports to art. He threw himself into golf, tennis, curling, and adventure sports, including long-distance cycling and canoeing. He signed up for multiple courses at the Kirby Centre, taking up watercolours, woodworking, needlepoint, and acrylic painting. His home is filled with all his creations. He was also a huge reader, consuming up to ten books a week, every week, for decades.  

When his children were little, Bruce would hitch up the tent trailer and bundle up the family for a month-long vacation to Penticton, BC. Summers were spent swimming in the lake, reading, golfing, and meeting up with friends. He had several holidays in Australia, visiting his daughter and her family, snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, and watching the Australian Open.

Bruce’s favourite saying was, “He who dies with the most toys wins”. This was reflected in his huge number of hobbies, which included summer sports such as sailing, golf, tennis, and fishing, and winter sports including cross-country skiing and curling.

In his later life, Bruce’s dogs brought him much joy. Dixie, Tank, and Chicka were constant companions and part of the extended family. He also took up swimming, undergoing deep water exercise classes three times a week, and making a new set of friends.  

He will be most remembered for his sense of humour and kindness.

Besides his loving wife, Bruce is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Kevin Townsend of Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia; son and daughter-in-law, Glenn and Sara Hedderick, of Calgary, AB; four grandchildren, Kimberley and Kaitlyn Townsend of Dunwich, Australia, and Noah and Sofia Hedderick, of Calgary, AB. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Shirlee Hedderick of Phoenix, Arizona.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents, John and Anna Hedderick, and his brother Brian Hedderick.

A Celebration of Bruce’s Life will be held at North Glenmore Park Community Association (2231 Longridge Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. All are invited to drop in to visit and share stories and memories of Bruce.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Diabetes Canada, 220, 6223 – 2nd Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 1J5 Telephone: (403) 266-0620, ext. 1112, www.diabetes.ca. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Bruce’s family here.

In living memory of Bruce Hedderick, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.