Bruce Freedman

Bruce Freedman passed away peacefully at his home in Toronto surrounded by loved ones, on Saturday, November 30th, 2024, after an arduous battle with Young Onset Alzheimer's.

Born in Montreal on September 30, 1967 to Frances Schanfield and the late Allan Freedman z"l, Bruce lived life with phenomenal humour, a curious, sharp mind, and an enthusiasm for new experiences. He left Canada in the 1990s, going on to carve out an illustrious career in Hong Kong as a top-ranked bank analyst; building a close circle of friends and connections that have lasted through decades.

Returning to Canada in 2007, Bruce was determined to continue challenging and growing his ever-curious intellect through diverse and creative endeavours. He wrote and published a book of humour essays You Don't Look Young For Your Age, performed stand-up comedy, contributed to various news outlets like the Globe and Mail and National Post, and consulted as a strategy/marketing expert to Toronto investment houses. Additionally, he gave of his time and knowledge to support start-up businesses and created his own innovative book and online platform to support DIY investors. He got great joy out of training as an apprentice carpenter, subsequently volunteering his time to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity in Toronto.

In 2008, Bruce met his beloved Katie, and it truly was love at first sight. They joyfully married in 2012, and in 2016 welcomed their precious daughter, Daisy, who completed their wee family.

Around 2020, Bruce began showing unusual visual symptoms: struggling to read books and numbers, noticing challenges with memory, and visual/spatial awareness. In late 2021, he was tentatively diagnosed with a rare form of dementia, Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA), which was conclusively confirmed in early 2022 as a variant of Young Onset Alzheimer's.

Bruce and his family are proud of the contribution he made to science through his participation as a sentinel in a groundbreaking Young Onset Alzheimer's study through the Toronto Memory Program, exploring how RNA technology might be used to treat, and alter the course of this brutal disease. He is grateful for the care and expertise he received under the treatment of Drs. Sharon and Ian Cohen, and their incredible staff.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Katie, daughter, Daisy, mother, Frances Schanfield, brother, Glen Freedman, beloved nephews, Ryan (Saliha), Logan, and Zachary (Emily), as well as their mother, Shari Caplan. He is also survived by many cherished aunts, uncles, and cousins. Bruce is predeceased by his father, Allan Freedman z"l, and his brother, David Freedman z"l (Shari Caplan).

A service to remember Bruce's life will be held at Benjamin's Memorial Chapel (Steeles) on Monday, December 2nd at 12 pm, and will be officiated by Rabbi Michael Dolgin from Temple Sinai Congregation Toronto. The burial will follow at The Temple Sinai section of Pardes Chaim Cemetery.

It is requested that in lieu of gifts or flowers, any donations be made in Bruce's memory to the Toronto Memory Program Fund for Education https://bit.ly/4g4cIZ4 or to Temple Sinai Congregation Toronto 416- 487-4161 https://templesinai.net

Love is beautiful, Love is wonderful, Love is everything, do you agree? Mais oui! ("Ma Belle Evangeline", Disney's Princess and the Frog)