Bruce Guthro: Solo

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Bruce Guthro. Bruce passed away peacefully at his home in Cape Breton on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was 62.
Bruce’s love of music started when he was a teenager, listening to his favourite music collections on the record player with his brothers and sister in his parent’s living room and singing with his buddies around the fire at the “Brown Street Country Club.” He started playing in small pubs in his hometown of Sydney Mines and eventually moved to Halifax and built a solo career that earned him numerous industry awards. Bruce created the legendary ‘Bruce Guthro Songwriter’s Circle’, where both world-class and up-and-coming musicians shared their stories and songs on a stage that each one stepped on with honor and was recognized as one of a kind. Bruce had a second music career across the pond, where he played to sold-out venues across Europe as the front man in the Celtic rock band, Runrig.
Bruce was never shy of a stage and always had the crowd in the palm of his hand within seconds of sharing the power of his voice. He had an extraordinary gift of bringing people together with his charm and intellect and was always the life of any gathering, big or small. Bruce’s unique ability to connect with people, captivating and inspiring people through his music and song, was truly a gift given to him that he gave back to the world. Bruce was recognized by Cape Breton University in 2019 with a Doctor of Letters degree for delighting and entertaining the world through his gift and passion of music and song, and carrying his strong Cape Breton roots with him.
Of all Bruce’s grand accomplishments, he was most proud of his two children, Dylan and Jodi, to whom he was a devoted and loving father, mentor, and champion. As he shared his love of music with them over the years, it wasn’t long before they were on musical journeys of their own. We know Bruce will be an angel on their shoulders as they continue to follow in his footsteps and carry the Guthro music legacy on for generations to come.
Bruce could not have achieved all this without his rock, the love of his life, his wife, Kim. No matter the distance or the hardship that came with being on the road, Bruce and Kim always had an unbreakable love. A love that set a beautiful example for their kids and will shine forever and ever.
When Bruce was not playing music, he was in his glory on the golf course with “the boys”. The Haddie Open and Squirrel Shit Cup were his favourite tournaments. He would share stories of how much they laughed on the course and how good it was for his soul. Bruce loved to fly around the world on Fountain Air, stopping for a Jack and Coke in Key West or lunch in Nashville. He was always game for an adventure.
Bruce was also an avid carpenter. He took great pride tackling projects at his home in Cape Breton. After work in ‘the barn’ was done, he would sit on the deck watching the boats go by on the Bras d’Or Lakes and then tend to his mourning doves and hummingbirds. And Bruce was a fantastic chef, creating culinary masterpieces for his family and friends. He would insist on plating for everyone at the table to ensure the best presentation. Oh, how we will miss those meals and listening to Guy Clark on the record player as he fried up his famous breakfasts.
The team of doctors and nurses who took care of Bruce throughout his journey were second to none. A special thank you to Dr. David Bell, Dr. Mike Silver, Dr. Ed Kinley, Dr. Lori Wood, Dr. Hannah Dahn, Dr. Phillip Cooper, Dr. Nadine Hewitt; Donna Boyd, RN and the nursing team at the QEII Cancer Centre; and the nursing team from Strait Richmond Palliative Care - Lesley, Kathy, Hilary, Megan, and Kyla. We thank you all for your kindness and care throughout our journey. A very special thank you to Father Doug MacDonald, who spent many hours with Bruce in spiritual guidance.
Bruce is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Kim, son Dylan and daughter Jodi (Makenzie Fox), sister Linda McGean (Wayne), brothers Kenneth (Arlene Arevalo), Paul (Heather), Karl (Susie), Stephen (Norma), and Michael (Juanita Bigger); sisters-in-law Teri Anderson (Luc Erjavec), Vena Anderson (Ray Moorehead), Melanie Anderson (Geoff Baker), and Kristen Anderson (Justin Cooney); mother-in-law Vena Anderson; nieces and nephews Lee Ann, Nicholas, Genevieve, Wayne Pat, Zachary, Jake, Mikaela, Jenna, Jacquelyn, Michael, Joel, Niki, Jamey, Gen, Keegan, Maria, Nico, Skylar, Mira, Everly, Wren, and Ellie who dearly loved their uncle Brucie G. He was predeceased by his parents Ambrose and Yvette Gouthro, brothers George and Lawrence, and father-in-law Jim Anderson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Centre 200, Sydney, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2023, and all are welcome to attend.