By Jana Semeniuk, Staff Reporter
Over 200 people came out to the Village of Chipman’s National Hall on Aug. 16, paying tribute to a man people knew as a pillar of the community.
Bruce McGregor, 74, passed away with family and friends by his side at the Lamont Health Care Centre in May from lung cancer.
McGregor was known for his love of horses and his community, devoting the past 15 years of his life to the local acting troupe The Chipman Players.
Players President, and Village executive assistant Keiron Willis said McGregor’s absence was felt by everyone.
“Bruce always had a story and he was so entertaining,” said Willis. “We’re going to miss him big time.”
The Village of Chipman advertised McGregor’s Celebration of Life onto their large village sign highlighting his local notability.
Pastor Wayne Larsen officiated the service while McGregor’s dear friend, Merril Meyer, eulogized him.
“Bruce actually asked me to do it during one of our last visits in the Lamont hospital,” said Meyer. “I told him I was a bad public speaker, and I’m way too emotional, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
Meyer told the story of his friendship with McGregor, beginning during classes at Alberta College in 1967 where the two were completing their high school education.
He highlighted McGregor’s skill at telling stories and jokes as well as his love for horses and his competitiveness.
“Bruce combined his thirst for competition and his love of horses by competing in the sport of Team Cattle Penning. In 2019 Bruce won his first buckle at the age of 69 along with teammates Terry Sargent and Jessica Hawkins in the seventh class, which, as many of you know, requires a very high level of proficiency,” he said.
Meyer also explained how much McGregor loved his family. When his wife of nearly 50 years, Sam, suffered declining health, McGregor became her caregiver in addition to managing his other responsibilities.
“Bruce had to become a caregiver with the help and support of (his children) Joshua and Kansas, as well as manage the farm at the Ukrainian Village until Sam’s passing on May 23, 2021,” he said.
“I personally never heard a word of complaint or self-pity from anyone in the family. McGregors are made of good stock.”
Meyer also noted McGregor’s love of theatre. He explained that McGregor especially favoured playing a Mark Twain persona, bearing a striking resemblance to the famous 19the century writer with his signature thick moustache.
Fellow Chipman Players actor Tom Hrehorets also provided some entertaining stories about McGregor including one story of his tenacity when it came to his role with the Players.
He described how the group were rehearsing one night and later, at home, McGregor suffered a heart attack.
“It was a Thursday night. Bruce ended up going to emergency and landed at the U of A (hospital) and I think they did four stints for him that night,” he said.
“And Saturday night he was on stage. Talk about dedication.”
One additional unique aspect of McGregor’s service was his burial.
While McGregor was cremated not long after his passing, it was his own cowboy boots which held his ashes for burial, complete with scuffs around the toes and a permanent fold near the ankles from years of wear.
McGregor’s daughterin-law Tania Davis explained that it was his daughter Kansas who came up with the idea to use McGregor’s boots as his urn. She said she was very happy with their decision.
“Those were his actual everyday boots,” she said. “I was ecstatic about it because that was Bruce. Always has been. Since I’ve known him, he was in his boots.”
McGregor is buried at the Chipman United Church Cemetery.
