Oct 29, 1940 – June 12, 2023
John Gordon Bruneau was born in Toronto to urban missionaries, Earl and Lois Bruneau. He grew up in downtown Toronto with siblings Jan, Angus, Grace and Dan.

John completed a B.A. at the University of Toronto before heading west to receive his teaching Certification at the University of Alberta. After teaching in Worsley, Alberta, John moved to Edmonton and married Sharon Smith in 1970. Together—with the help of relatives, friends and colleagues—they built a house in Mill Woods. In 1975, they began growing their family with children. Philip, Richard and Susanna. Through this time, John transitioned out of teaching and into horticulture where he worked with Smith Gordon on exciting projects like installing the large trees in the new West Edmonton Mall. John and Sharon moved their family to Vancouver in 1982 where John pursued a Masters of Divinity at Regent College.

He then returned to Alberta with his family and settled in Camrose where he took on the pastoral position at First Baptist Church. After serving there for 13 years, John returned to teaching—this time at Gardner Bible College. In his 9 years there, he also held the position of Dean and CEO. After retiring in 2008 he taught one final, engaging course on justice theologies at Augustana University College. While enjoying seeing his children grow their careers and families, his loving wife Sharon lost a second battle with breast cancer. In sharing condolences with friends and family, he found himself in an enduring friendship with Margaret—one of Sharon's close circle of friends from nursing school in Ontario. With the full blessing of both families, John and Margaret were married in 2013 in Ontario, just as Margaret was retiring from a vibrant career in nursing. John and Margaret built a life together centered around children and grandchildren, close circles of friendship, serving the community, model train club, home renovations, international travel and deepening their faith together. Margaret cared for John faithfully through his cancer diagnosis and sudden decline. John passed away, surrounded by loving family, held in the kindness and prayers of dear friends, and under the exceptional and compassionate care of the housekeeping, medical and chaplaincy staff at St. Mary’s Hospital Unit 2 and Emergency Department. The family is profoundly grateful.

He is survived by his wife Margaret; children Philip (Robyn), Richard (Kierstin), and Susanna (George); grandchildren Cypress, Anae, Eva, Marina and George Jr.; sisters Jan and Grace and numerous family and friends. He was predeceased by his first wife Sharon; parents Earl and Lois and brothers Angus and Dan.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Church of God, Camrose, AB.

Donations in Memoriam may be made to:
Deer Valley Meadows - Prayer and Meditation Sites (in person at the Memorial Service)
Canadian Cancer Society (online)