Memories of Jonathon Alexander Bruce | Ever Loved

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In memory of

Jonathon Alexander Bruce

Salmon Arm, BC, Canada

October 22, 2007 - April 21, 2025

Oct 22, 2007 - Apr 21, 2025

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Sarah Bloxham

2008, Maple Ridge, BC, Canada

Jonathan, thought of you today. It was random and I was on my way to work and I thought of you. I saw a young man about you age and was curious to know if you were on Social media. I was surprised and heartbroken when you name came up with a memorial. I am so impressed by the amazing young man you turned out to bed.

It feels like yesterday that I remember walking with your mom on our "Yummy Mummy" walks or play dates when and you were just a happy, chubby little guy in your stroller or playing with toys on the floor. I am sorry that we lost touch over the years, I would have been proud to watch you grow up along side of your mom.

Fly high with the angels, and take care of your family.

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Sarah Bloxham

2008, Maple Ridge, BC, Canada

Baby playdate.

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Lisa Shepherd

Jonathon was a humbly guy. I honestly believe he did not realize how very respected he was by so many people. I thought of this during his celebration of life. This has taught me that we make ripples everyday that reach to the people around us. I will always be grateful to Jonathon for this lesson.

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Lisa Shepherd

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Korri Zivin

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Korri Zivin

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Tracey Lundell

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Tracey Lundell

A poem written for Jonathon's Celebration of Life program. A poem written for Jonathon's Celebration of Life program. A poem written for Jonathon's Celebration of Life program.... Read more

Beckett Evans

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Beckett Evans

Hearing this news is absolutely heartbreaking. My heart goes out to Jonathon’s family — I can only imagine the pain of losing someone so kind, so genuine, and so full of light. I had the privilege of knowing Jonathon during our time together in Scouts Canada, from the tail end of Cubs into our years with the Albion pack. Even at a young age, he stood out for the way he treated people — with warmth, empathy, and a quiet confidence that made you feel safe just being around him.

What’s stayed with me most over the years is the way he included others, especially those who felt unsure or out of place. I remember how he welcomed me when I was nervous and unsure of myself. He didn’t make a show of it — he just made space for me, effortlessly and kindly. That small act had a lasting impact on me, and I’ve carried it with me ever since. He helped shape the person I’ve grown into, and for that I’ll always be grateful.

Though many years have passed since Scouts, Jonathon’s spirit and the way he made others feel has never left me. He was a remarkable friend, someone who made the world around him a little softer, a little kinder. I will miss him deeply.

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Lisa Shepherd

These are beautiful words. “…the way he included others,” and “ someone who made the world around him a little... Read more These are beautiful words. “…the way he included others,” and “ someone who made the world around him a little softer, a little... Read more These are beautiful words. “…the way he included others,”... Read more

Maria Carter

Jonathan was taken away way too early. He was a special individual and I knew him through Scouts.

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Lisa Shepherd

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Lisa Shepherd

Jonathon’s Scout truck took 1st place for design. The biggest smile! Jonathon’s Scout truck took 1st place for design. The biggest smile! Jonathon’s Scout truck took 1st place for design. The... Read more

Lisa Shepherd

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Lisa Shepherd

Jonathon, Liz and their Scout friends at the Canucks game, March 26, 2019. Jonathon, Liz and their Scout friends at the Canucks game, March 26, 2019. Jonathon, Liz and their Scout friends at the Canucks... Read more

Lisa Shepherd

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Lisa Shepherd

Jonathon at the Canucks game with his buddies from 1st Albion Scouts Jonathon at the Canucks game with his buddies from 1st Albion Scouts Jonathon at the Canucks game with his buddies from ... Read more

Lisa Shepherd

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Lisa Shepherd

Jonathon created his Dad a gift when 1st Albion Scouts visited The Create Shop, on Dec. 11, 2019. Jonathon created his Dad a gift when 1st Albion Scouts visited The Create Shop, on Dec. 11, 2019. Jonathon created his Dad a gift when 1st Albion Scouts... Read more

Korri Zivin

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Bill Niblett

My sincere condolences to your entire family. I was lucky enough to have met Jonathon a few times but also enjoyed hearing many stories shared by Mike over the years. I know Mike was very proud of Jonathon and from what I have read, he was an amazing well mannered young man who enjoyed the outdoors and got to follow so many different activities. All my sincere heartfelt love and thoughts go out to Mike and Jonathon's amazing sister Liz.

Bill

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Tracey Lundell

2025, Salmon Arm, BC, Canada

Jonathon loved his job and coworkers at DeMille's Farm Market

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Tracey Lundell

Facebook Post from DeMille's Farm Market - April 25, 2025:  Today we pay tribute to one of our most vibrant and well-loved employees, Jonathon Bruce.  It is with great sorrow that we now come together as family, friends and community to honour our beloved Jonathon, who passed away on Easter Monday, 2025.
A rare soul, the purest and kindest of hearts, this incredible young man touched and forever changed our lives, each and every one of us here at DeMille’s.  
He will be remembered and cherished for his ever-vibrant smile, the one he would flash without fail every time he entered the building.  His eyes radiated a joyous energy, his heart extended friendship to all he met, and his brilliant mind drove his curious ambitions. He was grounded in deep respect, a testimony to his wonderful parents.  In fact, his old-fashioned manners were so hard-wired that it came down to Brad telling him he did not need to call him “Mr. DeMille”, only to be followed by his contagious laughter!
Jonathon was a triumph of personal integrity at such a young age.  He would seek out responsibility and quickly became a key-holder, at his own insistence.  He was never afraid to learn new things, and to continuously grow as a human being. You could often hear him saying, “Can I learn that? Can I do that?”. His eagerness and ambition were unique and treasured. He did everything with a quiet confidence, and whatever job he was given he took on enthusiastically and performed to the best of his ability.  He was the reason that the store began the “Employee of the Week” because he was constantly going above and beyond, showing his dedication and love for his job.
Aside from losing a star employee, we lost a friend and truly special human being.  For his age, Jonathon was a man among men, wise beyond his years, and dearly missed by the classmates and staff at Salmon Arm Secondary, JL Jackson Secondary’s EMR program, BC Wildfire Service Rapattack team, Tappen Sunnybrae Fire Department, and all of us here at DeMille’s.

Facebook Post from DeMille's Farm Market - April 25, 2025: Today we pay tribute to one of our most vibrant... Read more Facebook Post from DeMille's Farm Market - April 25, 2025: Today we pay tribute to one of our most vibrant and well-loved employees,... Read more Facebook Post from DeMille's Farm Market - April 25,... Read more

Tracey Lundell

2024, Tappen, BC, Canada

Jonathon with his fellow firefighters

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Tracey Lundell

April 23 at 7:04 PM  · Posted on Facebook by the Tappen Sunnybrae Fire Department 
On the evening of Monday 21 April 2025, our fire department and community lost a cherished member. 
Our brother. 
Beloved son. 
A bright spark extinguished; far too soon.  
Jonathon Bruce  - 17 years old - was a junior firefighter with our department who lived his life with zest and integrity, and was an inspiration to us all. No one in our fire family was unaffected by his exuberant, curious and respectful presence, and none is unaffected by his passing. 
At the request of Jonathan's family, 3 of our officers stood vigil on Mount Bastion under a cold, clear sky that devastating night until the rescue was confirmed to have become a recovery. We are incredibly grateful for the professionalism and service of our fellow responders on scene including the Shuswap Search and Rescue and the Salmon Arm RCMP. We are profoundly humbled to have been trusted with such a task. 
We extend our deepest sympathies to our lost brother's family and friends, including classmates and staff at Salmon Arm Secondary, JL Jackson Secondary's EMR program, BC Wildfire Service Rapattack team, and colleagues at DeMille's Farm Market. Jonathan loved our beautiful backyard, and we will try to remind ourselves of his joy whenever we look at the mountain. 
Rest in Peace, Brother. You are loved. You are missed.

April 23 at 7:04 PM · Posted on Facebook by the Tappen Sunnybrae Fire Department
On the evening of Monday... Read more April 23 at 7:04 PM · Posted on Facebook by the Tappen Sunnybrae Fire Department
On the evening of Monday 21 April 2025, our... Read more April 23 at 7:04 PM · Posted on Facebook by the Tappen... Read more

Tracey Lundell

2025, Salmon Arm, BC, Canada

Jonathon with his boss, Brad DeMille from DeMille's Farm Market. Jonathon loved working here.

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Tracey Lundell

Article Written by Heather Black published in the Salmon Arm Observer:  DeMille's closing May 5 to remember Salmon Arm teen 'who had the world in his hands'
17-year-old Jonathon Bruce died in a hiking accident April 21st.     "Mr. DeMille" will be closing the store Monday, May 5 to celebrate the life of employee Jonathon Bruce who died in a hiking accident on Easter weekend.

The 17-year-old, who was just starting his second year at DeMille's Farm Market in Salmon Arm, had already made his mark on company owner Brad DeMille who described him as a "funny, good kid" who had old fashioned manners.

"He called me Mr. DeMille religiously, and I was like, you don’t need to call me Mr. DeMille but you couldn’t tell him not to do it," he said. "It just stuck to you, this kid, how polite and old fashioned of values he was, and it just reminded just of... a time gone by.  "He sat in your subconscious just being that kid, and being so polite and so trustworthy.”

DeMille also commended the teen's work ethic, that he said is too rare in a lot of kids. Jonathon would volunteer for any and every job, from cleaning toilets to learning how to drive the forklift and use the electric pallet jack.

“You show him once and it was done... Just such and eagerness to please and to learn," DeMille said. “It just reminded me the kids that they’re kind of missing that, that respect for elders and even the respect for the job... and we have an amazing staff, don’t get me wrong, but this young boy just stood out.”

Given the impact Jonathon had on all the staff, the market will close not just for the celebration of life but for the entire day in order to give everyone time to grieve and come together to honour and remember him.  "We can skip a day for Jonathon. We feel that it’s not fair of us to ask them to go through that process and then come be re-engaged to go back to work. It’s not fair to them," DeMille said, adding this is their first time experiencing a loss like this.

"Then we can start healing and everyone can move ahead and maybe learn something from this.”

In addition to working at DeMille's and attending Salmon Arm Secondary and J.L. Jackson's Emergency Medical Responder Program, Jonathon also served on the Tappen Sunnybrae Fire Department and the BC Wildfire Rapattack team.

“This young bright eyed kid, just he had the world in his hands," DeMille said with emotion. "He had it all at 17... he would’ve been a rock star, an amazing achiever in life.”

Article Written by Heather Black published in the Salmon Arm Observer: DeMille's closing May 5 to remember... Read more Salmon Arm teen 'who had the world in his hands'
17-year-old Jonathon Bruce died in a hiking accident April 21st. "Mr. DeMille" will be closing the store Monday, May 5 to celebrate the life of employee Jonathon Bruce who died in a hiking accident on Easter weekend.

The 17-year-old, who was just starting his second year at DeMille's Farm Market in Salmon Arm, had already made his mark on company owner Brad DeMille who described him as a "funny, good kid" who had old fashioned manners.

"He called me Mr. DeMille religiously, and I was like, you don’t need to call me Mr. DeMille but you couldn’t tell him not to do it," he said. "It just stuck to you, this kid, how polite and old fashioned of values he was, and it just reminded just of... a time gone by. "He sat in your subconscious just being that kid, and being so polite and so trustworthy.”

DeMille also commended the teen's work ethic, that he said is too rare in a lot of kids. Jonathon would volunteer for any and every job, from cleaning toilets to learning how to drive the forklift and use the electric pallet jack.

“You show him once and it was done... Just such and eagerness to please and to learn," DeMille said. “It just reminded me the kids that they’re kind of missing that, that respect for elders and even the respect for the job... and we have an amazing staff, don’t get me wrong, but this young boy just stood out.”

Given the impact Jonathon had on all the staff, the market will close not just for the celebration of life but for the entire day in order to give everyone time to grieve and come together to honour and remember him. "We can skip a day for Jonathon. We feel that it’s not fair of us to ask them to go through that process and then come be re-engaged to go back to work. It’s not fair to them," DeMille said, adding this is their first time experiencing a loss like this.

"Then we can start healing and everyone can move ahead and maybe learn something from this.”

In addition to working at DeMille's and attending Salmon Arm Secondary and J.L. Jackson's Emergency Medical Responder Program, Jonathon also served on the Tappen Sunnybrae Fire Department and the BC Wildfire Rapattack team.

“This young bright eyed kid, just he had the world in his hands," DeMille said with emotion. "He had it all at 17... he would’ve been a rock star, an amazing achiever in life.” Read less Article Written by Heather Black published in the Salmon Arm Observer: DeMille's closing May 5 to remember Salmon Arm teen 'who... Read more had the world in his hands'
17-year-old Jonathon Bruce died in a hiking accident April 21st. "Mr. DeMille" will be closing the store Monday, May 5 to celebrate the life of employee Jonathon Bruce who died in a hiking accident on Easter weekend.

The 17-year-old, who was just starting his second year at DeMille's Farm Market in Salmon Arm, had already made his mark on company owner Brad DeMille who described him as a "funny, good kid" who had old fashioned manners.

"He called me Mr. DeMille religiously, and I was like, you don’t need to call me Mr. DeMille but you couldn’t tell him not to do it," he said. "It just stuck to you, this kid, how polite and old fashioned of values he was, and it just reminded just of... a time gone by. "He sat in your subconscious just being that kid, and being so polite and so trustworthy.”

DeMille also commended the teen's work ethic, that he said is too rare in a lot of kids. Jonathon would volunteer for any and every job, from cleaning toilets to learning how to drive the forklift and use the electric pallet jack.

“You show him once and it was done... Just such and eagerness to please and to learn," DeMille said. “It just reminded me the kids that they’re kind of missing that, that respect for elders and even the respect for the job... and we have an amazing staff, don’t get me wrong, but this young boy just stood out.”

Given the impact Jonathon had on all the staff, the market will close not just for the celebration of life but for the entire day in order to give everyone time to grieve and come together to honour and remember him. "We can skip a day for Jonathon. We feel that it’s not fair of us to ask them to go through that process and then come be re-engaged to go back to work. It’s not fair to them," DeMille said, adding this is their first time experiencing a loss like this.

"Then we can start healing and everyone can move ahead and maybe learn something from this.”

In addition to working at DeMille's and attending Salmon Arm Secondary and J.L. Jackson's Emergency Medical Responder Program, Jonathon also served on the Tappen Sunnybrae Fire Department and the BC Wildfire Rapattack team.

“This young bright eyed kid, just he had the world in his hands," DeMille said with emotion. "He had it all at 17... he would’ve been a rock star, an amazing achiever in life.” Read less Article Written by Heather Black published in the Salmon... Read more Arm Observer: DeMille's closing May 5 to remember Salmon Arm teen 'who had the world in his hands'
17-year-old Jonathon Bruce died in a hiking accident April 21st. "Mr. DeMille" will be closing the store Monday, May 5 to celebrate the life of employee Jonathon Bruce who died in a hiking accident on Easter weekend.

The 17-year-old, who was just starting his second year at DeMille's Farm Market in Salmon Arm, had already made his mark on company owner Brad DeMille who described him as a "funny, good kid" who had old fashioned manners.

"He called me Mr. DeMille religiously, and I was like, you don’t need to call me Mr. DeMille but you couldn’t tell him not to do it," he said. "It just stuck to you, this kid, how polite and old fashioned of values he was, and it just reminded just of... a time gone by. "He sat in your subconscious just being that kid, and being so polite and so trustworthy.”

DeMille also commended the teen's work ethic, that he said is too rare in a lot of kids. Jonathon would volunteer for any and every job, from cleaning toilets to learning how to drive the forklift and use the electric pallet jack.

“You show him once and it was done... Just such and eagerness to please and to learn," DeMille said. “It just reminded me the kids that they’re kind of missing that, that respect for elders and even the respect for the job... and we have an amazing staff, don’t get me wrong, but this young boy just stood out.”

Given the impact Jonathon had on all the staff, the market will close not just for the celebration of life but for the entire day in order to give everyone time to grieve and come together to honour and remember him. "We can skip a day for Jonathon. We feel that it’s not fair of us to ask them to go through that process and then come be re-engaged to go back to work. It’s not fair to them," DeMille said, adding this is their first time experiencing a loss like this.

"Then we can start healing and everyone can move ahead and maybe learn something from this.”

In addition to working at DeMille's and attending Salmon Arm Secondary and J.L. Jackson's Emergency Medical Responder Program, Jonathon also served on the Tappen Sunnybrae Fire Department and the BC Wildfire Rapattack team.

“This young bright eyed kid, just he had the world in his hands," DeMille said with emotion. "He had it all at 17... he would’ve been a rock star, an amazing achiever in life.” Read less

Tracey Lundell

2024, Tappen, BC, Canada

Jonathon in his Firefighter gear, after a tour of his Fire Hall.

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Created with love by Tracey Lundell (Jonathon's step-mother) and Michael Bruce.

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