Bruce Ward Beswick

Bruce Ward Beswick lost his battle to ALS on April 19, 2026 in the loving arms of his wife, Wendy at Claresholm General Hospital in Claresholm, Alberta. Bruce was predeceased by his mother and father. Bruce leaves behind his wife, Wendy; brother, Brian(Brenda); sister Linda (Ted) Sexsmith, daughters Sarah and Rebecca (Tim Magoon) and grandchildren Oliver, Everett, and Ivanna, and nephew Cory (Megan) Sexsmith. Bruce was born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, on February 8, 1955 to Rita and John Beswick where his father was posted in the military. Bruce spent the majority of his childhood years in the Quinte area, Ontario area following a short time in France when he was two. Bruce had many professions throughout his life. He worked on oil tankers on the Great Lakes, potash mines in Saskatchewan, pounding railroad spikes in British Columbia, and farming in Eastern Ontario. Yet it was his 25 years spent in the military that gave him most pride. Bruce could and would recount for hours stories of his military experiences. His Buffalo aircraft was once struck by lightning while on a rescue, he flew the F-18 when it was a brand-new plane to airshows, did Arctic survival in an igloo, and he spent many years walking on the ground in the ‘sand resort’ countries of Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Afghanistan. Bruce met his wife at Haileybury School of Mines giving them almost 50 years of togetherness where they learned what counts in a happy marriage is not how compatible you are but how you deal with the inevitable incompatibility that occurs in every marriage. Bruce could never sit still and he loved to travel. He and Wendy would spend hours driving the backroads discovering hidden gems wherever they lived. Then there were the multiple cross-country trips to visit family on the other side of Canada. Bruce has often acknowledged that it was God who looked after him during his time in the military even before he accepted His presence. It was here at the Nanton Church of Christ where Bruce finally found a church home and was baptized. From that point on, Bruce lived a life of strong faith and devotion. Bruce was a friend to all who knew him. He had a joyful greeting to everyone passing by and he was always willing to lend a helping hand whenever and however he could. He could often be heard saying; “If you won’t help a neighbour, why would they help you when you need help.” His legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we control our attitudes. We choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Christ modeled for us. There are no words that can express how grateful and blessed we are to our neighbours and friends who have welcomed us to Nanton and made us feel like family. Also a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and doctors of Claresholm General Hospital who made the last month of Bruce’s life as comfortable as possible. Along with ALS, Bruce suffered from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) from his many years serving in the military. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warriors Canada https://woundedwarriors.ca/donate/

A Funeral Service will be held at the Nanton Church of Christ - 2501 19 Street at 2:00 P.M

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