BIGNELL - Mr. Bruce Bignell 1941 - 2008. Mr Bruce Lynn Bignell passed away in Red Deer, AB on July 2, 2008 at the age of 66 years. He was born, raised and lived his entire life in Gadsby, AB, and attended the old brick school. Bruce and his father lived on the old Jensen place northeast of Gadsby, then north of Gadsby, just over the railroad tracks. As Bruce grew old enough to drive, he went to work with his father hauling grain and coal and also cleaning and rebuilding elevators. He married Joyce Rowland on April 11, 1963 and to this union three children were born; Danny Lynn, Rosemary Joyce and Dennis Bruce. As we all know, life has a way of changing things and in 1982 the couple got divorced. Bruce bought the Gadsby store and operated that for a while. He then decided to go to school to obtain his license in mechanics. He attended N.A.I.T and became one of the best mechanics around. He could fix any engine in any make or model of vehicle big or small. If he came across something that he was somehow unsure of he would grab a book on the subject and find out how it all went together. If Bruce could not fix it... it simply could not be fixed! His daughter Rosemary would tinker in the garage for hours with her dad and learned a lot about fixing and maintaining a vehicle. Bruce then purchased the garage in Gadsby from his uncle Vic and moved the grocery store over to joined it. After a few years of operation, Bruce decided to close the garage, and start a new adventure of working in the oilfield industry. He began with Merland Exploration, then to Poco Petroleum, Guard Resources and finally retired with C.N.R.L in February of 2007. Bruce served as mayor of the Village of Gadsby for many terms and was a member of the village council until his passing. The village will not be the same without him as he had donated much of his time and money out of his own pocket to improve the little village he so loved. Bruce’s joy in life was truly his family and his friends. He loved fishing, hunting and camping, and he passed his love for the outdoors onto his sons Danny and Dennis. Bruce always had a dog even as a child. His most recent companion was a little black dog named Jeff who went with him everywhere. Bruce touched a spot in everyones heart that he met and his passing has left a void in many lives not soon to be filled. Survived by children Danny of Red Deer, Dennis (Jackie) of Spruce Grove, AB, and Rosemary (Vern) of Olds, AB. Grandchildren Randy, Ben, Matt and Nathen, great-grandchild Dawson, sisters Kathleen Bignell (Don Powell) of Stettler, AB, Sandra Thompson of Gadsby and Charlene Thompson (Bill Marks) of Breton, AB. Nieces and nephews; Stephen McCord, Wade McCord and Janet and Corra, Christopher McCord, Dallas Thompson, Holly Thompson and Sheldon Thompson. A tribute to Bruce’s life was held at the Brennen Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. with his very dear friend PJ Perry leading the ceremony. Family and friends then gathered in Bruce’s hometown of Gadsby in the community hall and were treated to a beautiful lunch prepared and served by the Gadsby Hobby Club. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Alberta Fish & Wildlife Association in care of Brennen Funeral Home (2001) Ltd., P.O. Box 193 Stettler, AB TOC 2LO who were entrusted with the care and arrangements. Condolences can be e-mailed to brennenf@telusplanet.net. 403-742-3315