Obituary of Lawrence Douglas Bruhm

BRUHM, Lawrence Douglas – Age 95, of Cookville, Lunenburg County, died peacefully at the South Shore Regional Hospital on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 after living for years with Parkinsonism. Born 26 August 1930 to William and Florence (Jodrey) Bruhm, he was the fourth of six sons, and is predeceased by brothers James, Robert, Paul, George, and David, as well as numerous sisters-and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

He leaves behind his wife of 69 years, Helen; sons, Bill (Cynthia) and Steven (Peter); grandsons Benjamin (Ashley) and Simon (Emily), and great-grandsons Brodie, Viktor, and Joseph, in whom he found great delight.

There was no one in the community who did not know Lawrence, the self-proclaimed “Mayor of Cookville.” He was very active in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, West Northfield; Deputy Chief in the Northfield and District Fire Department; a one-time member of the Odd Fellow’s Lodge in New Germany (whose secrets he has taken with him to the beyond!); and a presence in any community event. His work life spanned many jobs, which he did with pride: from a CNR lineman to the proprietor of the Cookville Meat Market; from millworker to carpenter, truck driver and butcher; and to the job that gave him more pleasure than anything else: his 30 plus years of driving the school bus. Lawrence took a personal pride in each of the hundreds of students he transported to school. If you were on his bus he never forgot you, and as you made your way into the world, he believed that he had been part of your journey. He remembered you with that mischievous twinkle in his eye which always betrayed his fondness.  His family, his friends, his neighbors, his colleagues: everyone knew him for his compassion, his dedication, and his sense of humour. And he took this to the end of his life: each of the Home Care Workers who attended him after he lost his mobility to Parkinsonism looked for that sparkle or sly grin to tell them that he was still there with them, and that he appreciated his care.

Alongside his social life, he cherished hoeing his potatoes, tending his woodland, and when time permitted, angling for salmon on the LaHave River. Heaven for him was sitting in a flatbottom boat above the Frideaux Falls. To the end of his life he would enquire whether anyone was fishing below Bruhm’s Bridge (even in the middle of the winter). As it had been for many generations of Bruhms, the LaHave River was in his veins.

The family would like to thank Dr. Greg Thibodeau for his years of excellent care; the Palliative Care Team and the VON for their frequent home visits; all hospital staff; and most especially the host of Lunenburg County Home Support Workers and Earth Angels who made possible his living comfortably at home with Helen and his beloved cat Friskie. We appreciate your dedication, expertise, and kindness, especially during moments that were particularly tough.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, 31 January, at St Andrew’s Lutheran Church, West Northfield. Cremation has taken place with interment at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Maple Grove Cemetery, and South Shore Regional Hospital.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Sweeny’s Funeral Home, 35 York Street, Bridgewater, where on-line condolences and messages may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.