Cameron Bruce died in a tragic accident outside his dorm in Kingston, Ontario on Monday.
A 2010 graduate of Staples High School, Cameron was a 1st-year student in engineering at Queen’s University in Kingston.
In his short life, Cameron left a lasting impact on those who knew him, and on the larger Westport community. He was an accomplished musician, playing trumpet in the Norwalk Youth Symphony for 5 years, where he was the assistant principal trumpet.
He attended New England Music Camp in Sidney, Maine, for 4 years, where he formed lasting bonds with musicians from around the country. With high school musicians from throughout Fairfield County, he was a member of the Youth Band for the United Nations in 2008 and 2009.
Cameron was an active participant in the Staples symphonic orchestra, band, and jazz band, and played taps at Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies in Westport, and at the Field of Flags tribute at Saugatuck Congregational Church in June of this year. Before taking up the trumpet, Cameron played the violin and attended the Mark O’Connor fiddle camp in Tennessee for two years.
He was a member of the Staples varsity swim team for all 4 of his years at Staples. In his senior year Cameron was a captain of the team, an Academic All American, and a Staples Scholar Athlete. (He played the “Star-Spangled Banner” at this past June’s banquet.)
Cameron swam the backstroke, breast stroke and individual medley, and was a finalist in both FCIAC and state LL competition in all 4 years. He swam with the Westport Weston Family Y Water WRAT team since elementary school. In 2010 he received the Edward T. Bedford award for Outstanding Youth at the Family Y.
At Staples Cameron was an AP Scholar with Distinction, a Commended 2010 National Merit Scholar, and he received the Staples Science Department Award for Outstanding Achievement in Forensics.
He was also active in Staples Players, in both the pit orchestra and as a One-Act Play actor in “A Wedding Story.”
And he was a dedicated “SuperFan,” an enthusiastic Staples boys soccer supporter.
Cameron was active in the Westport community, as a deacon at Saugatuck Congregational Church, and volunteering his time and musical talents at the Senior Center.
Cameron is survived by his sister Margot, his parents Linda and Iain Bruce, and his grandmother Shirley Bruce.
Visiting hours will be at Saugatuck Congregational Church on Friday September 24, 4-8 p.m. A funeral will be held at Saugatuck Congregational Church on Saturday, September 25 at 2 p.m. A celebration of Cameron’s life will be held during the Thanksgiving weekend in November.
Donations in Cameron’s memory may be made to the Cameron Bruce Scholarship for Trumpet at New England Music Camp, 8 Goldenrod Lane, Sidney, ME 04330, or for a grant that will be established in his memory, at Staples Tuition Grants, PO Box 5159, Westport, CT 06881-5159.
I played with Cameron in the orchestra at Staples and although I did not know him very well, any interaction we shared was always positive and memorable. I remember him being witty, funny, smart, and all around great guy that will be severely missed by Staples, Westport, and his closest friends, family, and classmates. I hope that through all of this grief and sadness that the Bruce family realizes what a wonderful son they raised.
What an unimaginable loss- to his family and to our community. He was a young man of immense talent and personality. A person who touched all with kindness. I will remember his sharp whit and glowing smile. He was a spark that should not have been extinguished. We’ll all miss you Cam.
I am a former Westporter and a Staples graduate and I was shocked and saddened by this story. It seems a bright light has been darkened far to early — my thoughts and prayers are with Cameron’s family and friends, and the Staples/Westport community.
RIP Cam. Love you so much ; hearing this kills me inside. Never forget. I love the picture of you playing the trumpet at your swim meet from Ave’s FB. Gone but never forgotten, love you Cam :”)