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The family of Bruce Snell uploaded a photo
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
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Alf Cowling posted a condolence
Sunday, December 28, 2008
I wish to express my deep sadness at the loss of a great teacher, my music teacher, Bruce Snell. We were fortunate to have Mr. Snell at Humberside C.I. in the 60's and to watch the music program there grow and flourish under his guidance. I can remember being in his classes and respecting the care and precision he wanted all of us to achieve in becoming good musicians. He produced concert level orchestras at Humberside, making and recording LP's and taking us to play at venues outside the school. The orchestra practices after school at Humberside were positive, learning experiences and I enjoyed all five years working with Mr. Snell and his music. I believe that I became a high school teacher because of his influence and I shall never forget the impact he had on my life!
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Sue and Derek Bundy posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Cindy and Megan: We are so saddened to hear of Bruces' passing. What a wonderful husband and father. We are sorry that we were not able to be at the service. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Derek, Sue, Hanna and Harris "What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Helen Keller
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david evans posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Bruce Snell was the finest person i met in 35 years of teaching. He and I were at North Toronto collegiate in 1970, and my father died in February of that year. When I returned to the school after the 3 days of absence there was a letter in my pigeon hole which was far more than a polite letter of condolence. Bruce walked me through what it meant to lose a parent. A year later I left Toronto to teach in Hamilton. I never had a principal or vice-principal again the likes of Bruce. And of course the bowler set him apart. Bruce was very special.
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Warren Lundy posted a condolence
Monday, December 22, 2008
Truly a great loss ...I was very sorry to receive the news that our once "music teacher" and friend had passed away ...Mr. Snell ...as he was known at Humberside in the 60's was simply a fine person ...excellent teacher and a wonderful musical leader ...We all had fun in his class and learned a great deal ...He will always be remembered as a standout to any of us who took his classes and got to know the man and the humour behind his strict code ..ha! He will be missed by the whole "gang". Please accept my very deepest condolances! Regards to his whole family. Warren
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Carolyne Pascoe President-Toronto Watercolour Society posted a condolence
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Bruce was a member of the Toronto Watercolour Society(TWS) since its inception in 1985.He was a pillar of the organization in so many ways. He was an outstanding artist whose paintings displayed his wonderful sense of colour, design, perspective and complete mastery of the watercolour medium and the architectural subjects he choose to paint. His paintings had been selected and juried into more annual fall and spring TWS shows than any of our 275 members. (42 shows) In addition, he had participated in many other of the society's sponsored shows throughout the city. His work was admired and respected by all our members and they anxiously looked forward to seeing his new creations at our shows. During his membership, Bruce as given numerous awards for the excellence of his paintings by a variety of jurors. In 1992 he was awarded a signature membership(TWS) and in 2001 was given an inaugural Volunteer Appreciation Award for Significant Contribution to TWS for all his work on our executive. As a member of the executive, Bruce over the years held the positions of treasurer, newsletter editor and director However behind the scenes, he also quietly and diligently produced almost all the society's paperwork: (certficates,invitations, programs,labels, membership lists, by-laws etc.) No one had any idea how much Bruce was qiuietly and willingly doing for us until he decided to relinquish these jobs to devote more time to his music pursuits last year. He was such a quiet, humble, dedicated and hard working man. Bruce was an invaluable member of the executive, always forthcoming with sensible solutions and wisdom in important decision making moments. His expertise, dedication and clear practial thinking has defined the group's history. We will always treasure his contribution to TWS! We hope to find some significant way to honour his memory and contribution to our art group in the near future. He will be missed by all our membership for many years yet to come and particularly next year as we start to celebrate our 25th Anniversary in April 2009.
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donald rutledge posted a condolence
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Dear Cindy, During fifty years of working in education I have never met a person I admired and respected more than I admired and respected Bruce.Deeply intelligent and talented, he was also kind and generous. We can and should celebrate his life, but I still feel he left us too soon. My wife Jeanne and I send our deepest sympathy to you and his loved ones. Everyone who worked with Bruce will understand how you must feel in losing him. Don Rutledge
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Oakwood Collegiate Alumni lit a candle
Saturday, December 20, 2008
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It is with deep sadness and regret that we learned of the passing of D. Bruce Snell, beloved OCI Music Teacher, who had taught and inspired many Oakwoodites. We were very grateful and honoured to have Mr. Snell lead the Alumni Choir at the OCI 100th Anniversary Concert this year. Our condolences to the Snell Family.
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Erica Fair posted a condolence
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Dear Meg, Thinking of you and your family in this very difficult time. Your father sounded like an amazing and talented man. Sending big hugs and lots of love. always, Erica
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Kate Taylor posted a condolence
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Dear Meg, My thoughts and love go out to you and your family. I know you will stay strong and keep the music alive. Kate
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Joyanne (JoAnne Lumb) Loughran posted a condolence
Saturday, December 20, 2008
To the Snell family, I was so sorry to hear of Bruce's struggle and passing. He was a man of great dignity and kindness whom one would always remember if he happened to come into your life. I first met Bruce when I was working for Major McCool at music summer school, and then later as a music teacher with the Toronto Board. My late husband, Doug Lumb, began his teaching career at NTCI and Bruce became a mentor, a friend and subsequently our nearby neighbour. He was always willing to give us his advice about everything from where to get a good suit (Harry Rosen's - a 3 piece, of course) to buying a house (as soon as possible and before kids!) - and we listened and thought it good counsel. I will always appreciate the kind words that Bruce spoke in the eulogy he gave at Doug's funeral and although our paths didn't cross often after that, I always enjoyed our exchanges, particularly his gentle wit and repartee. He touched so many lives that his memory will live on in thoughts and stories. Please accept my condolences at this time. LIke me, you had a wonderful husband and father who will remain with you regardless of where life leads. Love, Joyanne
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Kathy Gould Lundy posted a condolence
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Dear Cindy and Megan: I was so sorry to hear about your loss of dear Bruce. He was such an amazing guy--kind, smart, caring and always sincere. I loved working with him and for him when I began as the first drama consultant in Area North in the old Toronto Board of Education. He always had time to listen to my ideas and was a constant support to me, Jim Robertson and Ann Crysdale in our struggle to make the arts an important part of every child's education. Megan, he was so proud of you and was delighted that you came to York to become a teacher. Cindy , I will be thinking of you at this difficult time and send you my love. Kathy
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Marta Alvarez posted a condolence
Friday, December 19, 2008
Dear Bruce: I met you only a couple of times but your friendly attitude and smile made me feel welcome, as a new member of the TWS. Please help your family and your fellow artists to accept your departure. You will be with us forever. My deepest sympathy to the family. Marta
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Jen (ray) Caldwell posted a condolence
Friday, December 19, 2008
Dear Meg, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. May you find much comfort and strength among friends and family during this sad time. My deepest sympathies.
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Renata Gonsalves posted a condolence
Friday, December 19, 2008
To Cindy Snell and the family of Bruce Snell, On behalf of the staff and students of Oakwood Collegiate we would like to express our heartfelt sympathy. We are so very proud to say that Bruce began his teaching career here at Oakwood Collegiate. His devotion, commitment and dedication to the arts and the teaching profession was forever evident. We were fortunate last May 2008, at Oakwood's Centennial celebration, to have Bruce return to Oakwood and once again conduct our orchestra and choir as they performed Jerusalem. This moment will always be cherished. Sincerely, Renata Gonsalves, Principal and the Staff and Students of Oakwood Collegiate
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Susan Leonard posted a condolence
Friday, December 19, 2008
To Cindy and Bruce's family: I knew Bruce through the choir. I enjoyed his sense of humour and I loved his love for music. His thoughtfulness and kindness to me will never be forgotten. He called me recently to express his condolences on the passing of my husband. Thank you Bruce for being a part of my life. Susan Leonard
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Sue Nelson posted a condolence
Friday, December 19, 2008
I was so sorry to learn about Bruce. As a member of the Toronto Watercolour Society, I always admired his art work and had a few dealings with him on the Executive of the TWS Group. His career in Education and Music is most impressive and I know he loved singing and being a member of a choir. Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend the service on Saturday, but my thoughts and condolences go out to all the family. In sympathy. Sue Nelson
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Oakwood Music Department posted a condolence
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Music Department at Oakwood Collegiate owes many of its earliest successes to Bruce Snell. His musical ensembles of 1953-1962 won many awards and laid the foundations for excellence in instrumental music for years to come. Last year, Oakwood C.I. held a special concert at the Toronto Centre for the Arts as part of our 100th anniversary celebrations. It was a highlight for all of us when Bruce stood to conduct an alumni orchestra and a mass choir of students past and present in a glorious presentation of Jerusalem as our finale. As current teachers of music at OCI, we owe Bruce the beginnings of the longstanding reputation for excellence we still enjoy. As students, we owe Bruce the lifelong love of learning that truly great teachers impart. As musicians both casual and professional, we owe Bruce the passion for creation and perfection that he demonstrated himself and raised up in us. Bruce, we owe you more than just thanks – we owe you a portion of the art in us. You will be sorely missed. Roy Greaves, Tim Locke, and Tony Leong The Staff and Students of the Oakwood Music Department.
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Signy Franklin posted a condolence
Friday, December 19, 2008
Dear Meg, I so enjoyed catching up with you again Ed's bachelorette on Saturday and am so sorry to hear the news about your Dad. Mom and Dad join me in sending our sincere condolences to you and your Mom at this difficult time. Love, Sig
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Marthe Scott posted a condolence
Friday, December 19, 2008
Dear Megan, I just wanted you to know how sorry I was to read of your Dad's passing. Our paths crossed first when I was a student at North Toronto Collegiate and he was my Vice Principal, as my area superintendent when I was teaching and then again when you came to Bruce School as a student teacher. From getting to know you when you were at Bruce, I can tell that his many talents and love of education and kids will be carried on through you. My thoughts are with you and your family. Marthe Scott
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Marta Legrady posted a condolence
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Please accept my most sincere sympathies. I first met "Mr. Snell " when I was a student at Oakwood Collegiate , in the chorus and then later in a music class where I tried desperately to master breathing from my diaphragm! Later as a teacher and a principal , I had the good fortune to have the man I could now call "Bruce" as my superintendent . He was a truly fine human being who cared about his students, his teachers and all others he associated with . I am deeply saddened by his passing.
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Paul Stott posted a condolence
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I was a student of Mr. Snell at Oakwood C.I. from 1958-61. Through him, I developed a love and appreciation of music that has enriched my whole life. I am not a musician, nor do I continue in instrumental music, but I do sing in choirs and enjoy listening to live and recorded music of all styles. When i think back over my education, Mr. Snell is one of the teachers who has most influenced my life. I regret that I did not have the opportunity to tell him that. I think the D. Bruce Snell Memorial Award is a most fitting way to honour his memory, and I will be pleased to make a contribution.
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rina gottesman posted a condolence
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I was fortunate to have met Bruce only a few years ago when we once shared a shift to 'babysit' a Toronto Watercolour show together. After that initial meeting, Bruce would always greet me at the monthly TWS meetings with a warm smile and a genuine interest in hearing what had been happening in my art life since he had last seen me. He was a warm and kind man and a very talented artist. I am honoured to have known him. He had a presence and will be missed by all who had the good fortune to have know him. My condolences to his family. Rina Gottesman
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Marge Kelley posted a condolence
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Bruce was my "inspector" in the days when I worked for the Toronto Board of Education, and there were inspectors. Some inspectors could (and did) put fear in your heart, but not Bruce. He was a wonderfully competent professional who inspired us teachers to perform at our topmost level. My sympathy to the family.
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george nitefor posted a condolence
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Only knew Mr.Snell briefly from the Humberside days as a grade 10 student.('62) Read the obit in the G&M today and remembered him as a lifelong example of truth and honour.
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Michael Wright posted a condolence
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I met Bruce Snell in 1958 in my first year at Oakwood. 9A was the the string class, 9B the brass, woodwinds etc. Bruce decided the instruments we were to learn (violin, viola etc.) by the size of our hands ! I became a cellist. Although Casals never worried about losing his place to me, I developed a passion for classical music that has grown throughout the years. I owe a lot to Bruce Snell. Mike W.
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Anna Loughlin posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
I am so sorry for your loss. It was my pleasure to know Mr. Snell over the past years when he was a patient at PMH. He was a very gracious man , smiling with a kind word to all each time he visited the clinic. My prayers are with his family at this time Anna Loughlin, PMH Volunteer
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Carolyn Kennedy posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Dear family of Mr. Snell, I read with great sadness the remarkable obituary in the Star. I think of him frequently as I walk by North Toronto CI. I would have been at the service today but I have tickets with my granddaughter for Cinderella. Our first outing together! Your husband /father was an exceptional administrator. After spending my career in education I have a different perspective than the student I was in the sixties. He connected with me and I am sure many others. I was proud that he was such a disciplinarian with the "bad" kids and was so very encouraging with the "good" ones. I came home and cried one semester because my marks had gone down and Mr Snell said with such a warm smile in his voice "Carol Born I know you can do better than that." Next exams I did! He would chide my boyfriend and I, John Kennedy and make us feel special. We were proud to be in the Red and Grey society. We married after second year university and had 33 years together. When I applied to the faculty after 12 years at home raising my family I was readily accepted because of NT's reputation. I feel that he was a big part of creating it. It will be hard to believe that such a vital dynamic personality is gone. As a widow now for 5 years it is still hard to believe. These words helped me and I now offer them to you. "Never apologzie for your tears as Bruce was worth every one."
