Deceased February 8, 2017
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50th Reunion Book Entry
In Memory
The McMullan family is saddened to have to announce the loss of a loving husband, father, grandfather, “Uncle Bugs,” and a wonderful mentor and teacher besides. Bruce passed away surrounded by his wife and children at the age of 82 from a heart attack the week before, following a four-year battle against Parkinson’s and dementia.
Bruce was born in Philadelphia, the youngest of four children. From his youth, his passion was for the theater: summer shows at Theater in the Park, and performing at the Stagecrafters Theater in Philadelphia, which his parents had helped found.
After graduating from William Penn Charter School in 1952, this passion next took him to Amherst College and the Yale School of Drama graduating with distinction: B.A. ’56 and M.F.A. ’61, respectively.
His teaching career took him to the University of New Mexico, and then Dartmouth College, where he eventually became chair of the Drama Department in 1981. His summers found him directing productions for the Santa Fe Opera.
Wanting to return to the world of professional theater, Bruce followed Lotfi Mansouri’s invitation to Toronto in 1981 to become the Technical Director for the Canadian Opera Company for 18 years and continued on as a technical advisor for seven more.
Bruce’s illness necessitated that he move to Ottawa in 2015 to be closer to his immediate family. Meanwhile, his wife, Christine, a retired nurse, took on her old role to provide him the best possible care and quality of life.
Along the way, Bruce never failed to inspire and mentor people as he shared his love and genius for stagecraft. He leaves a profound legacy among all those he touched, and he will be dearly missed.
Bruce is survived by his wife Christine, ex-wife Veronica, his children Dana, Robin, and Christopher, and five grandchildren.
The McMullan Family