Cameron Bruce — a gifted trumpeter and swimmer, and a genuinely nice friend to many Staples students in every grade before graduating last June — died today in an accident at Queen’s University.
Cameron was a 1st-year student at the Kingston, Ontario school.
His parents, Iain and Linda, and sister Margot have not yet made plans for a memorial service. They ask that you hold Cameron and their family in your prayers.
Cameron Bruce, playing "Taps" at this year's Memorial Day ceremony.
I couldn’t have asked for a better friend
I will never forget you
tsds forever my friend
Cameron was a wonderful and exceptional young man. Ian, Linda, and Margot our prayers are with you!!
On behalf of our family, our heartfelt condolences go out to Cameron’s family. He was a wonderful young man and will be remembered by all who knew him with admiration and affection. The family is in our thoughts as they bear this most terrible of sorrows. You are not alone, Iain, Linda, and Margo. There are many holding you in their hearts and thoughts, tonight and for the days to come.
There are no words to express how sad we are. He will be missed at The Discovery Museum, where he made an indelible impression as a friend and co-worker. Please know we are thinking of you.
Pam, Alan and Ian
Our entire family is deeply saddened to hear of this, and our hearts go out to Cameron’s mother, father and sister. Cameron was a wonderful young man – – we have so many fond memories of him from Staples, from Norwalk Youth Symphony, from New England Music Camp. He was most gracious in playing the trumpet for our son’s Eagle ceremony, and helped to make many occasions memorable with his music. He never failed to greet us when we ran into him with such friendliness and warmth — he truly stood out in Westport as an exceptional person, and as a boy our entire family cared about. From all our experiences, he treated every one he encountered consistently with kindness and respect, rare qualities these days. We extend our deepest condolences and we will miss him and remember him always.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you , Iain, Linda, and Margot. Cameron will be missed by so many- what a great kid! We can’t imagine your pain but hope you can draw strength from the Westport community as they wrap their arms around you with love and support. We will never forget Cameron.
nice, funny, magnetic kid. losing a great friend is like being stripped of a diary; you lose something that you can pour anything out onto and they wont give it away. we had a relationship not many would understand or even dream of– yet we were friends. i will miss you, Cameron. Watch over me buddy. Pray for me as I pray for you
For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity. ~William Penn
Our Guidance Department held a breakfast for senior parents this morning to review important things such as the college selection process. I always say a few words. I knew I had to say something about Cameron and just started talking. I told them that I shared a photo of Cameron with all the teachers that showed him all dressed up with his hair combed and wearing a tie. Of course, I remember him with his swimmers spiked hair looking like he just stepped out of the water EVERY day. One teacher after another has come to me to let me know how much they loved and admired Cameron. Each of them said just about the same thing. “He actually loved coming to school and learning.”
Cameron will be remembered for his can do attitude, his positive outlook on life, his engaging personality, his love of learning, his dedication to swimming and music, and for making each day at SHS brighter than the one before. We will mourn his loss for a long time and remember him even longer.
There is no greater loss in life than the one you are suffering. Though I never had the pleasure of meeting Cameron, he clearly was an amazing young man. My heart goes out to all of you.
May he rest in peace. Our hearts and prayers are with him and the family. Toni and Stephen Rubin
We are so sorry for the loss of your son. We never had the pleasure to meet him but we know from everything we read how truly special he was to everyone who knew him. God bless your family.
There are no words to express the loss of this wonderful young man to his friends, his family , his community and to what he might have been. We are shattered and shocked and send our unending love to Iain, Linda and Margot in this darkest hour. And to those of you who never have the gift of knowing him, he was indeed a witty, warm, spiky-haired accomplished musician, remarkable swimmer, great student and above all a blessing to his family and friends. He will never be forgotten. We can’t belive it, because it is too sad to be believable. The enduring loss in incomprehensible.
Linda, Iain and Margot,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. Cameron has been Blair’s best guy friend forever. Cameron was so funny and talented and kind of crazy. We love him and will miss him greatly, he will always be in our hearts.
Love Courtney, Blair and Brandon.
No one could be in the same room with Cameron and not be smiling. Cameron, you have touched the lives of all of us and will be deeply missed.
I did not know the young Cameron. I heard him play taps following the Memorial Day parade and it felt like the notes from his trumpet were coming from his soul. Someone once wrote that the worse burden in life is to bury your children. May his family find solace somehow in what a wonderful child they raised even for such a brief period.
We all feel the devastating loss of this remarkable young man. We are holding his memory deep in our hearts and send our most heartfelt condolences to Margot, Linda and Iain.
Faith, Ted, Theo, Annie and Jane
Linda, Iain and Margot — From far away, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you today, and especially your beautiful boy. Our hearts break for you, and we stand with you now and always, dears.
with love, mary, rob, julie & chrissy
Linda, Iain and Margot,
There are no words that adequately express the deep sorrow we feel for
you in the loss of your dear son, Cameron. He was a bright light in the
community; full of warm spirit, talent and an all-around giving person.
We pray for your family and hope you will be comforted by the genuine
love the Westport community has for your son and your family.
Cathy, Bob, Chris and Mark
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The Vornles send their heartfelt condolences. We will miss him. He was a great part of the community and we will miss his trumpet playing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dear Linda & Iain: How I wish I had known your son, but I can tell from the other comments that he was a special person. My heart goes out to your family at this tragic time. My son was also a Staples trumpter and played taps on at least one occasion at Veterans Green.
With love and sympathy from Katie Chase (Westport Historical Society)
Our two boys have always looked up to Cameron as a role model – a great person, excellent student, fellow musician, and fellow Water Rat and SHS swimmer. Cameron was the swim team captain who made it easy for the freshmen on the team to feel like they belonged. He opened every home meet by playing the Star Spangled Banner. He volunteered as a musician at town events and was a student deacon at our church. He helped spearhead the amazingly successful Swim for Haiti fundraiser. And he did it all with the biggest smile you have ever seen. What a loss. Our hearts go out to Iain, Linda, and Margot.
With deepest sympathy, Mark, Elise, Marcus and Christoph
Dear Linda and Family, There are no words of course. We are devastated by this unthinkable news. I was up all night saying prayers for you and this morning. I called Alan at school yesterday and he is shaken to the core and so very sad. The music the boys played together at the Senior Center when we sat together listening and so proud Linda, was truly beautiful. I was blown away by Cameron’s musical exquisiteness. He will be terribly missed by us and the whole community. God Bless you & your family.
Fran, Jeff, Alan & James
Linda, Margot and Iain,
May the Grace of God be with you during this time of incredible grief.
We’re so grateful we spent time with Cameron this summer. He brought so much to all who knew him. Especially to Nica who plays violin because “Cameron did.”
Like all your friends we’re here for you.
Nica, Adria and Rick
Linda, Ian, and Margot:
There are no words adequate to express our sorrow. Our hearts are aching with yours. His kindness and gentleness will be remembered always.
Nathalie, Paul, Louise and Luke
Cameron, with his wacky thatch of hair, his million dollar smile, his brilliant creativity, and his kindness and honesty, lit up my sophomore English class every single day. What a loss for us all, and what thanks we give his mom, dad, and Margot for sharing him with us.
Linda, Iain and Margot, Our heartfelt condolences. Dan and I both remember Cameron and Margot performing their duet at Coleytown Cabaret years ago. What a devastating loss. Sending sympathy and love from Pennsylvania,
Laura, Dan and Jacqui
Iain, Linda and Margot,
We are saddened deeply by Cameron’s passing. He was an outstanding young man, so talented and such an inspiration to many. Cameron always had a warm smile and a friendly hello. And how beautifully he could play the trumpet! Cameron made quite an impression on all of us in eighteen short years. Such a loss! Our hearts are breaking for your family and we will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Marianne, Bill, Sarah, Kate and Emily
Dear Linda, Iain, and Margot,
We are so sorry for your devastating loss. We keep Cam and you all in our hearts.
With our deepest sympathy,
Leslie, Tim, and Gail
Dear Linda, Iain, and Margot,
your brother/your son was a rare gem. Both Gar and Tory so enjoyed swim team times with him, as well as the many other, always-fun, just-hanging-out moments. Cameron has always made me feel very special too… like I truly had something worthwhile to say??!! I can’t imagine going through what you are having to do. Thank-you for your wonderful young man.
Our love and thoughts are with you, MarySue, Gordy, Gar, and Tory Waterman
Dear Iain, Linda and Margot,
We are so very sorry for your horrific loss, Cameron always had such bright eyes and a quick smile. I remember how proud he was in the third or fourth grade gifted program, dressed in chain mail proudly portraying his ancestor, and how soulfully he played his trumpet. There are no words to express how sorry we are. Please accept our heartfelt condolences
Holly Allen, Annie, Kate and Rachel Harnick
Iain, Linda and Margot,
We cannot comprehend the sadness and sorrow you must feel in the loss of Cameron. We want to hug you tight and tell you how much we and the community care for you. Sincerest condolences from our family to yours.
Charlie & Patty, Chuck & Jacque, Steve, Tom and Kim
As parents of a first year student at Queen’s University, we were shocked and saddened to hear of Cameron’s death. From the information we read about him on websites, he sounded like the embodiment of the All-American boy. We can’t imagine what his family and friends must be going through right now. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and the entire Westport community.
Glenn and Maria Sheculski
Timmins, Ontario, Canada
Dear Linda, Iain and Margot,
Cameron was our son Sasha’s swim captain last year, and we saw him many times at school and town events. We were of course impressed by his unbelievable numerous musical and athletic talents, but even more so at how generous, happy and full of life and grace he was. You can feel that magnetic personality and warmth. You must be going through unimaginable – please know that so many people are praying for you and sending you their love.
Podolsky Paul, Sasha and Marina
Just thinking of Cameron makes us smile. He was the sunshine in all of our lives. He made us think differently about topics and ourselves. He inspired us to be silly and passionate. He turned a regular day into a great day by just showing up at our house. He made all of us feel like we should just do a little more each day. He accomplished so much in his short life. We are praying for you and hope you know that we loved Cameron with all our hearts. Thank you for sharing him with us all these years. We are here for you.
Kelly, Chris, Kevin Copeland and Scott Dorf
Dearest Linda, Iain and Margot,
My heart aches for you. I am blessed to have known Cameron and cherish the memories I have of him. Even as a young child, Cam’s spirit was infectious. Outlasting time and distance, his spirit has touched my life as it has for so many. May his spirit fill your hearts, and with the passage of time, bring solace. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest condolences,
Miss Jen
May God of All Comfort be your constant companion in this mournful time. May your memories of Cameron be plenteous and precious. My heartfelt condolences to the Bruce family, the town of Westport, Staples’ Players & High School, the Class of 2010 who matriculated as the Class of 2014.
Blessings and Peace.
Rev. Raedorah
Jahari’s Mom
Sincere condelences to the Bruce Family. May his spirit be alive in your hearts and the music of his Trumpet to your ears. He will be remembered at the Norwalk Youth Symphony.
The world has lost a remarkable young man. The Westport community was fortunate to have known him and to be enriched by him during his short time with us. I have vivid memories of Cam from the hallways of Staples HS and from having covered his chemistry class on occasion. He was indeed a wonderful person, an eager learner, and a multi-talented individual. Deepest sympathy to Iain, Linda, and Margot. My heart aches as well.
Cameron and our boys grew up together…elementary school classes, field trips, band, jazz band, and more. Cameron was a part of their childhood, and we as parents spent time with you, Linda and Iain, watching them grow. We have only the fondest memories of Cameron, and that will stay with us forever. To Linda, Iain and Margot, our hearts ache for you. With Love and deepest sympathy, Valerie and Eric, Alex, Jordan, Blake and Kyle
Dear Linda, Iain, and Margot,
We are saddened beyond words for your loss, as we extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to you, during this dark time and in the days ahead.
We will continue to hold your family in our prayers.
Rita, Phil, Marisa, & Desiree
Dear Linda, Iain and Margot,
You know how we feel – and words are just too little and limiting to describe that. Nor can they come close to evoking the “complete complex” Cameron, whose light shines through even all of this. (He had me right from the moment his good manners saved me from a bunch of unruly 6th graders.) One thing is sure: he was present in every moment of his life so fully that he will live on for lifetimes in the love and memories of countless people. You are all in our prayers.
Wendy, Robin and Robinson
I knew Cameron from a group composition class that I taught at the Westport Suzuki School six years ago. I remember him especially for his kindness and generosity towards the two younger boys in the class. That kindness made him special in my eyes and memory. What a loss, that such a beautiful light has gone out. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Paul Levi
Dear Iain, Linda and Margot,
There is nothing more I can say that hasn’t already been said about such a wonderful, outstanding individual. My heart is broker by your loss and you are all in my prayers. May God give you the strength you so need at this time.
Nadja
Cameron was such a wonderful person. Camp was not the same without him this year. I miss him everyday