IN MEMORIAM
David Bruce Atkinson
RCMP Security Service / CSIS
1944 - 2025
Years of Service: 1964 - 1988
Postings: Ontario
Obituary and Condolences
November 10, 1944 - June 3, 2025
With great sadness, the family announces the peaceful passing of Bruce Atkinson surrounded by family at Shelburne’s Roseway Hospital on June 3, 2025, at the age of 80. He was one of six children born to Captain Joseph and Alice (Conrad) Atkinson of Lockeport, NS.
Bruce realized his dream of joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1963. After training in Depot Division Saskatchewan, he was posted to Windsor, Ontario where he met his lovely wife Frances (Ilnicki) and married in 1966. His entire 25-year career was spent in Southern Ontario (Windsor, Sarnia, Kitchener) with the last 15 years commuting daily from Bowmanville to downtown Toronto. Early in his career, Bruce joined the Security Service of the RCMP which in 1984 became the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Bruce was excited to experience first-hand Canada’s transition from a focus on domestic intelligence into an expanded mandate investigating foreign influenced activities, political violence and terrorism, ultimately retiring as a Sergeant in 1988.
After a very successful first career, Bruce decided to return to his cherished hometown of Lockeport. Nova Scotia. Bruce and Fran then joined the Home Hardware family of stores in 1989. Bruce started with a modest hardware store in Lockeport and ultimately opened Woodworkers Home Hardware Building Centre in Shelburne. In February 2012, he finally retired from this second career, which lasted almost as long as his first.
Throughout his life, Bruce was very active in community affairs. After returning to Lockeport, he served on the Town Council and even became Mayor in 1993. In addition, Bruce felt a duty to assist people in need and to help out many worthy organizations, always quietly and without asking for anything in return.
In their later years, Bruce and Fran spent much of their time travelling the world, making new friends around the globe. Bruce also enjoyed taking on home renovation projects, big and small. But probably most of all, Bruce loved watching sports in his man cave.
Bruce is predeceased by his loving wife, Frances (Ilnicki), married almost 55 years, as well as his parents Captain Joseph and Alice (Conrad) Atkinson and his brother Norman. He is survived by his two sons David (Patricia Vivian) and Michael (Lesley McCoy); grandchildren Stephanie (Ryan), Nicole (Daniel), Joseph (Veronique), Rylan and Kieran; and great-grandson Jayce – who will all dearly miss Bruce’s good-natured teasing and beaming smile. He also leaves behind brothers Allan and Tim (Cheryl Pierce) and sisters Pat and Judy (Gerald Penney) and many nieces and nephews.
A service celebrating Bruce’s life will be held at Huskilson`s Funeral Home, 58 Bulkley Street, Shelburne, Nova Scotia on Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM, with a reception to follow. Burial at Lockeport Cemetery in Lydgate will take place the following day, on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM.
A livestream of the service on July 5, 2025 will be available for those unable to attend in person.
In memory of Bruce, donations may be made to SASI (Shelburne Association Supporting Inclusion) or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be sent to huskilson@ns.aliantzinc.ca or you may sign the guest book at www.huskilson.net.
Remembered with respect and gratitude for his service.
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