Obituary of Bruce Darryl Sulin

“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You musn’t lose it.”

• Robin Williams

 

Bruce saw everything and everyone in life as potential material for his next story…. His mantra was ’never let the truth get in the way of a good story.’

 

He passed away March 25, 2023, from a heart attack on his way to see friends at a Kootenay Ice hockey game in Cranbrook, BC at age 54. 

 

Bruce was a kind and funny man at his core. He was passionate about coffee, music, reading, and writing stories, gathered from the content gifted by the world around him. He enjoyed time with his girls, watching sunsets, cooking in his rock n’ roll kitchen, playing pool, traveling, and mostly strolling through life, in search of adventure, and the next good story line or character description. You could often find him at a coffee shop, drawing or scribbling in his note pad, planning his next trip to wherever would be the biggest source of inspiration. Whether this was solo, with a friend, or with his family. Bruce’s goals and ambitions were unmatched, frankly he was sometimes a bit manic, but inspiring, nonetheless.

Bruce was born in Williams Lake, BC and grew up in Cranbrook, BC, in a permanent loving foster family with Frank and Irene Bradley, his foster sister Freda Johnson and 27 other foster children through out the years. He met the love of his life while working in Lake Louise at the age of 21. He was intertwined with Kimber Norbury for 34 years and they were happily married living in Lethbridge, Alberta, for over 20 years. Together they raised 2 amazing daughters – Echo and Ezra Sulin, who were his pride and joy. He is described by his friends as kind, funny, gentle, caring and a comforting presence to all. He is also in the loving memory of brother-in-law Cory and mother-in-law Alvina Wall. He leaves his legacy of intelligence, wit, humour and sensitivity in his two daughters, whom he adored more than anything in the world. His way of gifting them the full embodiment of love that will last a lifetime. He was a good and kind father, and his children are lucky, in that they will never question his unwavering unconditional love for them as long as they live.

 

In all honesty, Bruce struggled lifelong with mental illness. It was often hard for him to see the loving kindness that was around and available to him. It was typical of him to dip in and out of social circles throughout his life as he struggled with this internal lifelong battle. He appreciated nothing more than a reminder that he was worthy and loveable and those of us who were close to him always knew and believed this to be true. His shadows very much inspired his art, his writing, his legacy, and his creativity. We are the lucky ones to recognize that he left his view of the world and unique cynical tone as gifts for us through his writing. We can continue to enjoy his words from his lifetime now, and forevermore.

 

We will be hosting a celebration of life in Lethbridge later in the springtime. More details to come.