BRUCE CRESWICK
By Genevieve on Feb 21, 2011 in Local Stuff
Bruce Creswick, beloved teacher, colleague and friend, died suddenly on Saturday at home. We, in his school community are bereft at the thought that we won’t be seeing him drive up in his bug on Monday morning, but we will have his compassionate spirit to guide us. Our thoughts are with Bruce’s family, Carolyn, Catelyn, and Matthew.
At this time, the cause of death is unknown.
We will have counselors and additional personnel on hand on Monday to help our students and staff.
D. Keiko Taylor
Vice Principal
Saltspring Island
Middle School
Information from
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=504263069&aid=275787#!/photo.php?fbid=10150147042286133&set=a.487993426132.301264.68360301132&theater
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=504263069&aid=275787#!/pages/Mr-Creswick-RIP/153110564745605
Photo by Derrick Lundy
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Mr. C you were the best thing to ever happen to SIMS and to everyone who had the privilege of having you as a Teacher!
Thank you for being so funny, caring, smart, loud, compassionate…
I don’t know what else to say, i’m at a loss for words… other than my heart goes out to you Carolyn, Catelyn and Matthew! I wish i were there to do something…
forever♥
Crystal | Feb 21, 2011 | Reply
A true friend. A leader and inspirational person.
I’m glad I had the fortune of traveling with him and the SIMS band to West Edmonton (twice), Campbell River (Ironwood mall) , Music Fest, etc. He is missed.
WetCoastDave | Feb 21, 2011 | Reply
“its not a threat, its a promise” you were my favorite teacher mr. c, and i will never forget you. you deserve all the respect you have been givin, and i wish i could tell u that <3
~Jasmine
Jasmine Klebe | Feb 21, 2011 | Reply
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and former colleague Bruce. My thoughts are with Bruce’s family, Carolyn, Catelyn, and Matthew. Carolyn was the nurse who was with us when my wife Susan died of cancer in 1994, and I have always been grateful to her and Bruce for their loving support during that difficult time.
Mr. C was one of the funniest and most supportive teachers I ever had the pleasure to work with, so I know he wouldn’t want me to be sad for long, but to rather remember the good times ( and there were many) that we had together.
Such as at Fernwood when Mr. C and I as directors were going through the final dress rehearsal (earlier rehearsals had not gone smoothly) of the Dyspeptic Ogre when we came to a particular scene and I turned to him and asked, “How do we change the lighting for this scene?” and he replied, “I don’t know, we’ve never got this far before!”
I also remember at Fernwood Mr. C and I adapted, err.. re-wrote.., alright, plagiarized from the novel “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”. We always claimed that we had mounted the production with permission – I gave Mr. C permission, and he gave me permission.
Mr. C was an absolute connoisseur of humour, especially the oldies and goodies. Certain words or phrases passed between us would trigger an avalanche of shared laughter. Such as “Walk this way” from “Young Frankenstein”, or was it the Marx Brothers or Monty Python or Mr. Bean? Anyway, you might recall seeing me lead my Grade 6 class at SIMS from our classroom to the computer lab having invited them to “Walk this way”, using an exaggerated limp.
I was always impressed with how many young people Mr. C inspired to be better students, better individuals, and particularly better musicians. And he never tired of attempting to convince anyone within earshot the value of a truly bad joke.
Mr. C, you have left us way too soon, but I will always remember you as a great teacher and a great friend. And wherever you go, please remember to “Walk this way”.
With tremendous admiration and affection
Your Friend
Ken Mackie
Ken Mackie | Feb 21, 2011 | Reply
Bruce was the driving influence for my children.
His love of music and humanity in general shone through all his classes, his concerts, his contact with students and parents alike. His presence will be missed enormously.
May the community embrace his family the way he embraced all in the community.
Patricia Brown | Feb 21, 2011 | Reply
Thanks for this opportunity to send my sympathies to everyone who is missing Bruce, a wonderful person indeed. Yes, I am sure, as Keiko says, his compassionate spirit will live on through the many people who loved him and learned from him.
Jan Slakov | Feb 21, 2011 | Reply
Ken, you said it so well. thank you
jocelyne bourque | Feb 21, 2011 | Reply
Hi Ken! We would love to print your letter on the high school GISSBOWL page of our March issue. Would you be alright with that?
I didn’t grow up here so i didnt get a chance to know Bruce. He was so loved in this community.
Stephanie | Feb 21, 2011 | Reply
Yes, you have my permission.
Ken Mackie | Feb 21, 2011 | Reply
You were the greatest of all teachers by far. You loved and were loved by the world. You will always be in my heart. You were truly amazing!
Taelor Lay | Feb 22, 2011 | Reply
Bruce, I am so sad today to learn you have left us. I remember walking into your band room one afternoon during my daughter’s jazz band rehearsal I was tired and feeling down that day. I sat down to watch your rehearsal with the kids, and by the end of the session I was filled with nothing but admiration for you. The kids were hyper and the energy level in the room would have overwhelmed most teachers, but you harnessed that energy and had the kids working as a tight unit within minutes. Watching the banter between you and your students was a privilege. Thank you for the love of music which you instilled in my child and countless others. There are people who pass through our lives too quickly and all we can feel is gratitude. You were a treasure Bruce, and I am honoured to have known you. You will be missed by many.
Stacia Kennedy
Stacia Kennedy | Feb 22, 2011 | Reply
Mr C was a wonderful teacher for my daughter Heather Meek and I thank him. He was kind and loving to all his students and he was loved. The island will miss this talented man.
Gayle LeBlanc | Feb 22, 2011 | Reply
Mr.Creswick you were close to me and still are close and i’ll never forget you and you will always be in my heart ~leonie
Leonie Goodwin | Feb 22, 2011 | Reply
Mr.C was the most inspirational, and most AWESOME (by far) teacher of all time. He will be loved. He will be missed. He will never be forgotten. We will always love you. I PROMISE. <3
Mana | Feb 22, 2011 | Reply
Dear Mr. C. I will miss you and remember you always. I want you to know that you are responsible for my love of music, my sense of humor and possibly one or two of my bad habbits, which I will hold on to for the rest of my life. I will never forget staying with your parents in Victoria, being taught the finer points of an Abbott & Costello skit and learning how important it is to be in the band. Every note I play has you name on it and every joke told you spirit.
Quncy Wheeler-Hendren | Feb 24, 2011 | Reply
Dear Mr. C. I will miss you and remember you always. I want you to know that you are responsible for my love of music, my sense of humor and possibly one or two of my bad habits, which I will hold on to for the rest of my life. I will never forget staying with your parents in Victoria, being taught the finer points of an Abbott & Costello skit and learning how important it is to be in the band. Every note I play has your name on it and every joke told your spirit.
Quincy Wheeler-Hendren | Feb 24, 2011 | Reply
I was walking by the middle school today and I realized I had a tear rolling down my face, I was only remembering every moment I had spent with Mr. C because each memory with him was and remains my favorite.
Mr. C wasnt just a teacher, he was a person you could talk to when your gym teacher hit you in the face with a dodge ball, or when you where wondering the fall fair and saw him sitting in his chair. He always was up to a chat even if it ment he was late for a class, He was a great man and will always remain in our hearts.
He was and will always be my friend,
Rest in peace <3
~Lena B.
Lena Bird | Jan 26, 2012 | Reply