Obituary of Vance Bridges
Edmund Vance Bridges, died peacefully at the South Shore Villa on Sept. 21 at age 93 after loving farewells from his family.
Vance was predeceased by his parents, Melvin and Joy Bridges, brother Winfred Bridges, and son Kevin Vance Bridges. He is survived by his three other children, Doug Bridges, Karen MacLean and Wendy Murray. His wife, Sheila Joanne Bridges (née Oag), passed away in January 2024.
He will also be missed by the spouses of his children: Deborah Bridges, wife of Doug; Kenneth MacLean, husband of Karen; Janet Bridges, wife of Kevin; and Milo Murray, husband of Wendy.
A devoted grandfather, Vance leaves behind seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Grandchildren are Tyler and Jalisa Bridges; Matthew Bridges; Lucas and Logan MacLean; Mikaila and Parker Murray.
His warm welcome will also be missed by Candace Bridges, wife of Tyler; Jonathan Wan, partner of Jalisa; Alice Cheverie, partner of Matthew; and Marissa, wife of Lucas. Great-grandchildren are Harper K. Bridges, Hank Kevin Bridges and Rayne Marie Sheila MacLean.
Vance was the ultimate community activist and family man.
He volunteered and served on boards with the People’s Cemetery, Summerside Rotary Club, Canadian Red Cross, Summerside College of Piping, East Prince Funeral Home and Salvation Army Kettle Drive and Co-op Grocery Store.
Vance was also president of the Summerside Lobster Carnival for many years and a longtime supporter of the Rotary Club exchange student program, welcoming several international students into his home. He was also a Meals on Wheels driver for many years. In 2017, he won the P.E.I. Seniors volunteer of the year award.
Vance was a Summerside city councillor from 2006-2010, and he was Summerside’s Citizen of the Year in the 90s.
In his professional life, Vance sold life insurance and worked as an agent at Linkletter Travel before owning and operating Variety Tours, which took him to dozens of countries around the world. He and Sheila travelled together throughout their marriage, seeing more of the world than most Islanders ever dream of.
He was president of ACTA, the Alliance of Canadian Travel Associates.
Vance was a lifelong church member. As a member of Trinity United in Summerside, he was named an honorary elder, sang in the choir, served as a trustee and was also on the joint needs committee.
Vance filled the time in between these duties with music, nature and love for his family. He was the barbecuer at summer Sunday dinners, the French toast flipper during winter brunch. He took his grandchildren all over P.E.I. and showed them how to live a good life.
Vance was born in Calgary but moved to P.E.I. as a toddler and grew up in rural Prince County during the Great Depression. After living through hard times, he spent his life being kind, generous and willing to help. Summerside, P.E.I., and especially your family will miss you, Grampie.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations directly to a charity of your choice.
The wake is 4-6 p.m on Wed. Sept. 25 at East Prince Funeral Home, and the funeral is 11 a.m. on Thurs. Sept. 26 at Trinity United Church in Summerside.