Wayne Miles Bruchanski

Family, Earth,  Water & Trees

This was Wayne's connection to life.

Wayne Miles Bruchanski 

77 years old 

(March 9,1948 - November 28, 2025)

At home, with his family beside him and Carefree Highway playing in the background, Wayne passed away peacefully after a brief battle with cancer. He was cared for by Linda, his dear wife of 57 years, and will be lovingly remembered by his children Merilee (Tim), Ashlee (Danis), Kyle (Carrie); grandchildren Jaden (Michael), Raya (AK), Odessa, Cassandra (Scott), Myles, Rob, Jon; and great-grandsons Jack and Charlie. Also left to cherish his memory are his sisters Brenda (Reg), Bonnie (Donnie), Sherrin (Bob), his brother Grant (Shirley), and sisters-in-law Terry and Alice, along with a large extended family and many life-long friends. He genuinely loved you all!!

Wayne was predeceased by his parents Michael and Margaret (Trapp), brothers Allan and Morton, sisters Loretta, Beverlee, and Margie and his beloved son Grantlee, who died at a young age. Wayne was heartbroken when they left this earth, and no doubt, at his time of death, he listened for Grantlee’s voice to guide him home. We picture him surrounded by the family he carried with him always.

Wayne was raised in the Lac du Bonnet area and never imagined leaving the place that shaped him into the man he was today. It allowed him to remain close to his brothers, sisters and their families, and to maintain lasting connections to Brookfield Road.

To truly know Wayne was to know he loved his family fiercely. He worked hard to provide for them and built a strong foundation where their hearts would always be Home. One of his proudest moments was giving each of his children a piece of property in Brookfield, where they could plant their roots and enjoy the land and water for years to come.

Being a grandpa was the best part of Wayne’s life. He had a gentle heart and loved his grandkids unconditionally. Grandpa Wayne would do anything for them, and they knew it! He spent hours taking them for quad rides up and down Brookfield Road and pontoon rides on the water. He even bought them a ski-doo for Christmas so they could enjoy the winter months. He loved watching them plow through the snow, laughing and having fun. No visit to his house was complete without a trip to Seven Sisters for all the candy they could ask for. Bringing a smile to their faces brought a smile to his, and his parting words were always, “They’re having fun-let them be.” As the children grew older, he loved seeing them gather at the family dock, a favourite meeting place to bring as many friends as they want.

Wayne’s connection to the earth was profound. His work saw him subdivide property, build roads and lagoons, clear farmland, log and mine, move and demolish buildings and even develop a golf course. He was a self-taught, jack-of-all-trades who could fix any machinery he owned, and was often asked for any mechanical advice he could give. There wasn’t a job Wayne couldn’t tackle, and he earned respect as a skillful and hardworking man. Moving earth, hauling gravel and wood, and developing land—he took pride in every detail, often working hours until the job site was perfect.

Wayne worked alone and alongside his brothers on many projects in the town of Lac du Bonnet and surrounding municipalities. This Earth has been touched and is more beautiful because of their dedication and expertise. Wayne was pleased to see his children embrace his work ethic and willingness to help others.

If you ever had trouble finding Wayne on land, you pretty much knew where he was—on the Water. Whether fishing, taking a leisurely ride with family and friends, or dealing with the more-than-occasional breakdown of his pontoon boat, his connection to the Winnipeg River was unwavering. Imagine his luck to discover his great-grandsons liked to fish! If he knew they were coming for a visit, he was ready with bait, rods and a full tank of gas. He even let them steer the boat at times—a highlight of their experience. That was Wayne, always with a wink and a smirk, in his happy place.

His second favourite spot was Werner Lake, where “A Guy” could spend time fishing, canoeing, and enjoying the outdoors with sons, brothers, in laws, nephews and friends. Many of us have wonderful memories and stories of Wayne’s adventures in Werner Lake. He was an unforgettable travel guide with a knack for picking backroads no one even knew existed and telling stories of glory days when Werner Lake was a mining town. Wayne was also a practical packer—a can of Klik, bag of Hickory Stix and some chocolate bars were often enough for a trip. And sleeping comfortably, who needs that?! Everyone who explored Werner Lake with Wayne can testify it was like a gift from Heaven.

Wayne’s love of trees was well known. He believed every great lot or property had to have them! He valued the shade, beauty, and life they provided, and with thoughtful planning, planted many throughout his yard.

He enjoyed countless trips to Duck Mountain where he shared his love for hunting with family and friends. The season brought good times, laughter and cherished memories, all made in the beauty of the deep woods. He was at peace amongst the trees.

If anyone was ever to mention cutting an oak, Wayne would surely have given you a piece of his mind. In many ways he lived like the oak he admired. He was rooted deeply and stood strong through every storm.

A mighty wind blew night and day. 

It stole the oak tree’s leaves away. 

Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark. 

Until the oak was tired and stark. 

But still the oak tree held its ground. 

The weary wind gave up and spoke, 

“How can you still be standing, Oak?” 

The Oak tree said, “I know that you 

Can break each branch of mine in two, 

Carry every leaf away, 

Shake my limbs, and make me sway. 

But I have roots stretched in the earth, 

Growing stronger since my birth. 

You’ll never touch them, for you see, 

They are the deepest part of me. 

Until today, I wasn’t sure 

Of just how much I could endure. 

But now I’ve found, with thanks to you, 

I’m stronger than I ever knew.”

We love you and will miss you always. We will continue to touch the Earth, dip in the Water and hug a Tree in your honour. XO

We would like to thank all the medical staff at Selkirk hospital and the Palliative care team who provided care and support to Wayne and family during his time of need.

We would like to thank our family, friends and neighbours for your acts of kindness over the past month and following Wayne’s passing. He treasured your visits and phone calls and felt your sincere love and friendship. It is comforting to know he was admired by so many. He could be a stubborn man, but he had the hugest heart.

Wayno was quite “A GUY!”

A Celebration of Life is planned for July 26, 2026 with details to be announced at a closer date.

In lieu of flowers, in the springtime, please plant a tree and watch it grow.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com