It looks like you are viewing this on a mobile device. Would you like to use the mobile version? No thanks.
It looks like your device can support the full version of the site. Would you like to view that instead? No thanks.
Email to a friend Tweet This Send to Facebook Share on Google+
  Login
Bruce Gourlay
May 17, 1933 - February 17, 2020
Return to the Memorial Getting Started Administration Inbox  
Return to Getting Started  
Return to the Memorial Help Extend the Memorial Order a Keepsake Book  
Obituary Eulogy Guestbook Biography Photos Media Life Stories Contribute
<div itemprop="description">A forester, a dedicated Public Servant and a passionate family man, Robert Bruce Gourlay left us peacefully with his family by his side on February 17, 2020 at the age of 86. Bruce was the son of Robert and Evelyn Gourlay of Vancouver, British Columbia. <br> <br>Born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Bruce graduated from McGee High School and then pursued a Degree of Master of Forestry from the University of British Columbia and graduated in 1956. Bruce followed a career path that took him to Norway where he worked in the forestry sector from the very North to the South of a country he came to truly love. He left to backpack Europe and after, found a role in New York City and then returned to Vancouver where he met his bride, Lorraine, nee Corbeil. <br> <br>They moved to Ottawa in 1967 and Bruce began a distinguished career in the Federal Government and the Diplomatic service as a Seconded Trade Commissioner with postings to Brussels, Belgium; Baghdad, Iraq and London, England and he retired in 1996. <br> <br>Bruce loved sports and the outdoors. He was an accomplished down hill skier. He and Lorie spent many happy hours cross-country skiing, with family and friends in the hills of Kanata north. He also loved a good golf game and cheering on the Montreal Canadiens and the Montreal Expos, a passion passed on to his son, David. A voracious reader, Bruce enjoyed fiction, biographies and British history and heritage such as James Herriot (usually over a scotch). He also loved to explore the deep Gourlay ancestry in Scotland taking his family to Ayr to meet distant relatives dating back to Robert the Bruce. While in London, Bruce served on the Guild of St. Bride’s Church on Fleet Street and as a Trustee at the American School in London. <br> <br>Bruce leaves behind Lorie, his wife and partner of 52 years, his son David (Danielle) and granddaughter, Sophia. He will be missed not only by his sister Deanna (Ken Turnbull), but by numerous nieces and nephews. The Gourlay family wishes to thank the nurses and support staff at Forest Hill Long Term Care facility in Kanata. <br> <br>In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. A visitation will be held on Tuesday March 3rd, 2020 from 2PM – 4PM and 7PM – 9PM at Pinecrest Cemetery, 2500 Baseline Road in Ottawa. <br></div>