Rev. Bruce Roberts died peacefully at home early Wednesday morning, June 25, 2008, with his wife, Ella (nee Brookins) by his side as she has been for 55 years. After a brief fight with cancer he has "gone home" to be reunited with his parents, J.D. and Gertrude Roberts of Corner Brook, Nfld.; and his daughter, Claire Roberts. He leaves behind the love of his life, Ella, and their four children and 13 grandchildren: Jo-Ann and Ken Kelly, Christopher, Claire, Alyson and Meghan of Victoria, B.C.; Laurie and Trueman Smith, Mark, Colin and Jessica of Livingston, Tennessee; David and Joanne Roberts, Alexander, Joshua, and Elias of Halifax, N.S.; Jane and Robert Merchant, Erik, Jack and Ellen of Halifax, N.S.; His brother, Rev. John Roberts, and his wife, Ann, of Bedford, N.S. Bruce went to Memorial University, Mount Allison University, Technical School of Nova Scotia and the Atlantic School of Theology. He had several careers, first as a civil engineer with the CNR in Moncton, the Department of Highways in P.E.I., and with Morrison and McCrae Ltd. of Summerside. He was an ordained minister with the United Church of Canada for 28 years and served churches in Bedeque, P.E.I.; Sheet Harbour and Halifax, N.S.; Nashwaaksis, Saint John, Riverview and Moncton, N.B. In 1982 he was elected President of the Maritime Conference of the United Church. Beginning in 1988, he played a pivotal role in the growth of the Congregational Christian Church of Canada and served congregations in Lawrencetown/Lake Echo, New Glasgow and Halifax, N.S. When his active ministry was cut short by Alzheimer's disease, he became Minister Emeritus at First Congregational Church of Halifax where he continued to serve and inspire. Bruce also had a career as a civil servant. He was regional director of Social Services for the South East Region of New Brunswick. He was the chair of the N.B. Welfare Appeals Board and helped found Moncton Headstart with Claudette Bradshaw. He was a proud Newfoundlander, who loved to sing, and an adopted son of P.E.I. During his life, he left his mark on every community he served and touched the lives and hearts of many people from all walks of life. He spent many of his happiest moments surrounded by family and friends at “Almost Paradise”, the family cottage in Stanhope, P.E.I. Today, Bruce has traded “Almost Paradise” for the real thing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pregnancy Care Centre in Halifax, www.pregnancycarehalifax.com, 5991 Spring Garden Rd., Unit 705, or the Vision Fund of First Congregational Church of Halifax. Visitation with the family will be at Snow’s Funeral Home on Friday, June 27, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. The funeral service will he held at St. Andrew’s United Church on Saturday, June 28, at 11 a.m.

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