Bruce Newman
Bruce Frederick Newman (24 April 1918 – 27 June 1968 (aged 50)) was an engineer with dual Canadian-American citizenship.
Two people are named for him:
- His nephew-in-law through his wife Ruth's sibling Elaine, Timothy Bruce "Tim" Luet (born 1961)
- His grandson through his daughter Mary Ann, Michael Bruce Currie (born 1982)
Early life
He was born in Elmira, New York, USA, to Clint Newman and Eugenia Swift and later moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He had two younger brothers:
- John William "Jack" Newman (1920 - 2013)
- Clinton Eugene "Gene" Newman (1929 - 1978)
He actually had two university degrees. He began at age 16, according to what his daughter Mary Ann remembers being told, which means he began attending Assumption College in Windsor (now University of Windsor) in Fall 1934 or early 1935. He obtained a general arts degree. Assumption College was at this time an affiliated college of the University of Western Ontario (now Western University), and so his arts degree was conferred by UWO; the Toronto Daily Star wedding announcement in October 1942 accordingly describes him as "a graduate in arts of the University of Western Ontario."
He then went on to obtain a degree in chemical engineering from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Toronto (described in the 1942 wedding announcement as "applied science at the University of Toronto").
Uncle Jack told me he was quite brilliant. He used to pace when he talked - sound familiar? I think he and you would have been kindred spirits.
— Mary Ann Currie, email to Michael Currie, 22 June 2019
Windsor years (1934–1938)
During his years at Assumption College, Bruce was active in the social life of Windsor. In January 1937, he and his brother Jack Newman served as ushers at the wedding of Miss Jean Johnson to Frederick Burkhart at Riverside United Church.
The ushers were Mr. Bruce Newman, Mr. Jack Newman and Mr. Ellwood Chedour. — Windsor Star, 3 February 1937, p. 17
In early 1938, he and Donald Carson were named in charge of the college reporters for The Assumption Reporter, the Assumption College student newspaper.
Bruce Newman and Donald Carson are in charge of the college reporters and Tom Hunt and Joe Doyle will handle the high school news. The boys hope to have a minimum of four sheets an issue and the subscription charge is two bits a semester. — Windsor Star, 28 February 1938, p. 16
Bruce graduated from Assumption College in May 1938, appearing in a graduation photo spread published in the Windsor Star:
After his graduation in May 1938, Bruce was active in the Border Cities Young People's Union (Y.P.U.) and was named to take charge of publicity for the group's annual moonlight event.
At the regular monthly meeting of the Border Cities Young People's Union, held at the home of Miss Elizabeth Swan, on Lincoln road, plans for the union's annual moonlight, to be held Monday evening, June 27, to Bob-Lo, were discussed ... Mr. Ivor Evans, Miss Leona Miller and Mr. Bruce Newman were named to take charge of publicity for the event. The boat will leave from Detroit, but tickets will provide for transportation across the river on the ferry. — Windsor Star, 6 June 1938, p. 13
Toronto church activities (1939)
After moving to Toronto, Bruce participated in the Young People's Association at Bloor Street United Church. In March 1939 he appeared in the cast of three one-act plays presented by the association — alongside Ruth Coulter (his future wife) and his brother Jack Newman. This is the earliest documented evidence of Bruce and Ruth being acquainted, three years before the family story places their first meeting at a St. Patrick's Day dance in March 1942.
Bloor Street United Church Young People's Association is presenting three one-act plays in the auditorium tonight and Tuesday evening. Titles are "The Playgoers," "The Nest," "Who Takes the Prize," "The Bond Between." The cast includes Ruth Coulter, Bourne Boddy, Irene Diamond, Greta Palmer, Lillian Smith, Jack Newman, Hael Miles, A. Barnett Tucker, Reg Sayers, Mae Craig, Dorothy Dunbap, Bill Dunbar, Bruce Newman, Marjorie Rowe, Dorothy Henry, Pat Saunders, Phyllis Townsend, Connie Keith. Stage manager of the productions is Ralph Symonds and Gordon Keith and Charlie Plews are in charge of properties and sound effects. — Toronto Daily Star, 27 March 1939, p. 7
Marriage and family
He married Ruth Coulter on 10 October 1942.
The engagement was announced on 14 September 1942:
The Reverend Joseph and Mrs. Coulter, 151 Wolverleigh Blvd., announce the engagement of their daughter, Ruth Beatrice, to Mr. Bruce Frederick Newman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clinton E. Newman, of Detroit, Michigan, the marriage to take place in Emmanuel College chapel on Saturday, October 10th, at 12 o'clock noon. — Toronto Daily Star, 14 September 1942, p. 20
The Toronto Daily Star published a full account of the wedding:
Several out-of-town guests attended the wedding in Emmanuel College chapel Saturday, when Ruth Beatrice Coulter and Bruce Frederick Newman were united by Rev. Robert J. Irwin [1891 - abt. 1958]. The bride is the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Coulter, Wolverleigh Blvd., and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clinton E. Newman, Carter Ave., Detroit, Mich. Ferns and button 'mums provided the setting for the wedding. Miss Carol Chace played the music and Miss Peggy Wood, Markham, was soloist. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a wine colored wool crepe gown, with velvet hat and muff in same shade and black suede accessories. She wore a sweetheart halo with a veil. Matron of honor was Mrs. John Gillies Sage, who wore a green wool dress with a brown hat and brown accessories. Her corsage was of yellow roses. Best man was Jack Newman. Kenneth Coulter, brother of the bride, was usher. At the reception, held in the Emmanuel College reception room, the bride's mother received, in a navy blue crepe dress with a corsage of pink carnations. The groom's mother assisted, wearing a beige dress with a corsage of pink roses. For her motoring trip north, the bride wore her wedding costume and a beige polo cloth coat. They will reside in Toronto. The bride is a staff member of the Toronto Conservatory of Music and the groom is a graduate in arts of the University of Western Ontario and in applied science at the University of Toronto. Guests came from Detroit, Windsor and Leamington. Among the honored guests were Mrs. George Newman, grandaunt of the groom, and Mrs. James McNaughton, grandmother of the bride. — Toronto Daily Star, 17 October 1942, p. 28
Ruth and Bruce had three children:
- Sandra Hugheen (born 5 August 1944)
- Evelyn Elaine Louise "Lynn" (born 19 July 1946)
- Mary Ann (born 30 July 1950)
The births were announced in the Toronto Daily Star:
NEWMAN—Mr. and Mrs. Bruce F. Newman (nee Ruth Coulter) are happy to announce the birth of a daughter, Sandra Hugheen, on Saturday, August 5, 1944. Mother and baby are both fine. — Toronto Daily Star, 8 August 1944, p. 22
NEWMAN—Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Newman (nee Ruth Coulter), of 491 Sutherland Drive, Leaside, are happy to announce the arrival of their daughter, a sister for Sandra, on Friday, July 19, 1946. Mother and baby are both fine. — Toronto Daily Star, 22 July 1946, p. 20
NEWMAN — Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Newman are happy to announce the birth of their daughter, a sister for Sandra and Evelyn, at the Wellesley hospital, July 30, 1950. Mother and baby are both fine. — Toronto Daily Star, 1 August 1950, p. 23
Bruce had 10 grandchildren, although he never got to meet them. They were born to his daughters between 1977 and 1987:
- By Sandra: Megan, Meredith, Laura, Patrick
- By Evelyn: Alexander, Vanessa, Andrew, Stephen
- By Mary Ann: Michael, Carolyn
Community involvement
Bruce was a member of Bethesda United Church in Don Mills and was active in its community life. In October 1957, he and Ruth opened their home at 9 Chelford for an entire week as headquarters for eighty men taking part in Bethesda's Financial Pledge Campaign.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Newman, 9 Chelford have opened their home for the entire week to be used as headquarters by the 80 men of the Bethesda Financial Pledge Campaign. — North York Mirror, 3 October 1957, p. 6
In May 1960, he served as lighting director for "Spring Fever," a two-night revue presented by Bethesda United Church that drew over 700 audience members.
Production of the show displayed the talents of Doug Thomas, stage director; Phelps Bell, music director; Seymour Mogford, stage manager; Harry Davis, properties; George Van Loon, assistant stage manager; Bruce Newman, lighting; Wynn Rutledge, choreography; Marg Gouinlock, costumes; Helen St. John, lyrics and publicity... — North York Mirror, 12 May 1960, p. 20
Career
Bruce was not able to serve in the war due to his eyesight, according to Sandra Kenzie.
He joined the Association of Professional Engineers of the Province of Ontario as a Professional Engineer on 10 May 1946.
From 1944 to 1949, and again from 1954 until his death in 1968, Bruce worked for Sangamo Company Limited, a manufacturer of electric clocks and meters. Bruce worked on meters, according to his daughter Mary Ann in 2019.
From 1949 to 1954 he worked for Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario (HEPCO) (since 1974 now known as Ontario Hydro). He was headhunted for this role, according to Mary Ann in 2019, and at HEPCO he also worked on electric meters.
Sangamo Company Limited
Sangamo Electric Company of Springfield, Illinois, established 1899, made clocks, timers and power meters. Their Canadian subsidiary, Sangamo Company, Limited, eventually acquired Lamb Electric Co.'s Canadian subsidiary, which became the "Lamb Electric Division of Sangamo Co., Ltd." We have also seen motors from "Wagner Electric Division of Sangamo Co., Ltd." and "Wagner-Leland Division of Sangamo Co., Ltd."
Sangamo Co., Ltd. was created in 1911 as the Canadian sales arm of Sangamo Electric Co. In early 1917, manufacturing began on Adelaide Street in Toronto in order to avoid the duty applied to imported meters. On the 1st of January 1932, Sangamo Co., Ltd. acquired exclusive rights to Wagner Electric Corp.'s motor business in Canada, including the right to operate the business under the Wagner company name. Manufacture of Wagner electric motors began in a plant on Stafford Street in Toronto.
The manufacturing space in Toronto soon proved inadequate but the company's finances did not permit a move to better facilities. In 1940, with the company operating at full capacity because of the war effort and with manufacturing space in Toronto selling at a considerable premium, Sangamo was able to sell their existing plant for a tidy profit and build a new plant in Leaside, a Toronto suburb.
This company, originally located at Laird Drive and Eglinton Avenue where a Canadian Tire is currently found, began producing electric meters in 1904. Displayed above their buildings, clearly marking their presence to the public, was a large rotating oval sign. Their electric meters, designed to measure watt hours of hydro consumption, were exported to 16 countries, including Mexico, Portugal, Africa, Central America, and Japan. Sangamo products were designed by Canadians, manufactured in Canada, made from Canadian materials and used by Canadians every day of the year in every province. The company had plants in Leaside and Three Rivers, Quebec, with sales offices in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Edmonton. The Leaside plant covered 180,000 square feet and had employed 825 people. In 1970, Prestolite acquired the Sangamo Motor Division which was located in Sarnia, Ontario. ... Some time later, Sangamo moved to Guelph, Ontario.
In October 1962, Sangamo acquired Leland Electric Co., a privately owned Guelph firm that manufactured rotating electrical equipment. This expanded Sangamo's presence to Guelph and appears to be the reason the Newmans moved there in 1963.
Proposed acquisition by Sangamo Co., Leaside, Ont., of a privately owned Guelph firm, Leland Electric Co., will give Sangamo an additional 400 employees and will increase annual volume by more than one half. Sangamo will buy Leland's business for an undisclosed amount of cash. It will operate Leland as a division in conjunction with its own Wagner Electric division. Wagner and Leland are designers, manufacturers and distributors of rotating electrical equipment. — National Post, 6 October 1962, p. 36
Competitor Buys Leland Electric
GUELPH — One of Guelph's largest industries — Leland Electric Company Ltd — has been sold to a competitor. The company, which has been operating in Guelph since 1931, has been sold to Sangamo Co. Ltd. It will operate in conjunction with Sangamo's own Wagner Electric division. Leland, which manufactures electric motors and alternators, employs about 400 people in Guelph.
— Waterloo Region Record, 2 October 1962, p. 14
After Bruce's death in June 1968, Sangamo's Guelph plant was idled by a wildcat strike in September 1968.
Strike Idles 300 Workers In Guelph
GUELPH—Sangamo Co. Ltd. is idle for a second day here because of a wildcat strike of more than 300 workers. The employees, members of the International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers, left the Crimea Street plant at mid-morning Monday.
— Waterloo Region Record, 10 September 1968, p. 2
In February 1970, Prestolite Co. Ltd. purchased the motor division operations of Sangamo's Guelph plant.
Prestolite Acquires Guelph Firm
GUELPH (CP) — Prestolite Co. Ltd. will purchase certain assets this month of the motor division operations of Sangamo Co. Ltd. and within two years absorb the entire operation into Prestolite's plant at Point Edward, near Sarnia. ... Sangamo bought the former Leland Electric Co. plant in 1962. The company has two Guelph plants, the original factory on Crimea Street, and a warehouse on Silvercreek Parkway.
— Waterloo Region Record, 12 February 1970, p. 23
Death
Bruce Newman died on June 27, 1968, from a massive heart attack while admitted at Toronto Western Hospital for testing.
He had suffered a previous, unacknowledged heart attack roughly a year to a year and a half prior (around early 1967), which left him with significant, lasting damage to his heart tissue.
Prior to his fatal heart attack, he had been experiencing shortness of breath, weakness, and chest tightness.
Just two months after his 50th birthday, he died suddenly of a heart attack on 27 June 1968. He lived just 18,328 days, 9,393 or 51.2% of them married to Ruth. He had specified that his body be left to science, and it was.
His obituary in the Toronto Star:
NEWMAN, Bruce Frederick—Of Guelph, Ontario, formerly of Don Mills, passed away at the Toronto Western Hospital, Thursday, June 27, 1968, husband of Ruth and father of Sandra, Evelyn and Mary Ann. According to his wishes, his body has been donated for Medical Research. A memorial service will be held in Harcourt Memorial United Church, Dean Ave., Guelph, Sunday, June 30, at 4 p.m. — Toronto Star, 28 June 1968, p. 33
Sources
[1] Ancestry.ca
[2] Guelph Past Perfect Online [3]
[3] Vintage Machinery.org [4]
[4] Archive.org, Sangamo History [5]
[5] SangamoClocks.com [6]
[6] Windsor Star, 3 February 1937, p. 17 — Bruce and Jack Newman serve as ushers at Windsor wedding
[7] Windsor Star, 28 February 1938, p. 16 — Bruce Newman named co-editor of The Assumption Reporter
[8] Windsor Star, 30 May 1938, p. 12 — Assumption College and Holy Names College graduates photo
[9] Windsor Star, 6 June 1938, p. 13 — Bruce Newman named to YPU publicity committee
[10] Toronto Daily Star, 27 March 1939, p. 7 — Bruce Newman and Ruth Coulter both in Bloor Street United Church drama cast
[11] Toronto Daily Star, 14 September 1942, p. 20 — Engagement announcement
[12] Toronto Daily Star, 10 October 1942, p. 28 — Wedding notice
[13] Toronto Daily Star, 17 October 1942, p. 28 — Full wedding article
[14] Toronto Daily Star, 8 August 1944, p. 22 — Birth announcement: Sandra Hugheen Newman
[15] Toronto Daily Star, 22 July 1946, p. 20 — Birth announcement: Evelyn Newman; address 491 Sutherland Drive, Leaside
[16] Toronto Daily Star, 1 August 1950, p. 23 — Birth announcement: Mary Ann Newman
[17] North York Mirror, 3 October 1957, p. 6 — Bruce and Ruth Newman open home at 9 Chelford for Bethesda pledge campaign
[18] North York Mirror, 12 May 1960, p. 20 — Bruce Newman serves as lighting director for Bethesda United Church revue "Spring Fever"
[19] Waterloo Region Record, 2 October 1962, p. 14 — Sangamo Company acquires Leland Electric Co. in Guelph
[20] National Post, 6 October 1962, p. 36 — Sangamo Company acquires Guelph firm Leland Electric Co.
[21] North York Mirror, 8 December 1965, p. 64 — Bruce Newman listed as living at 5 Tanvalley (Bethesda United Church members list)
[22] North York Mirror, 29 December 1965, p. 17 — Bruce Newman listed at 5 Tanvalley
[23] Waterloo Region Record, 10 September 1968, p. 2 — Sangamo Company wildcat strike, 300 workers idle
[24] Waterloo Region Record, 12 February 1970, p. 23 — Prestolite acquires Sangamo's Guelph motor division
[25] The Sun Times, 12 February 1970, p. 20 — Prestolite purchases Sangamo of Guelph
[26] Toronto Star, 28 June 1968, p. 33 — Bruce Frederick Newman obituary