In Memory of Bruce Emberly

I just got this sad news in an email from Friend of The Show and Halifax resident Rhonda M.

A gentleman by the name of Bruce Emberly has died of cancer. Our Canadian Friends may have heard of him, but for all us Yanks, he was the Penguins' Official Number 1 Fan. Rhonda told me about a news story about Bruce that ran on the CBC. Neither she nor I could find a clip of it, but she found this comment about the news segment that a viewer left in a CBS Sports forum on May 9^th:

Wow just saw an amazing item on CBC news...about the Pens #1 fan...
His name is Bruce Emberly and he lives in Halifax Nova Scotia...
You have to see this guys house " the Pens Den"...
every room is full of Pens memorabilia, sweaters posters, you name it...even his car has a large Pens Logo on the hood of his car ( black of course)...
One one of his many visits to Pitt to catch a game he fell ill. was diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer.
The pens heard of this and the players sent him a jersey, Emberly #1 Penguins Fan...
On his 50 th birthday Sidney Crosby called him up , they talked hockey and health...
Apparently Crosby will bring the Stanley Cup to his house if they win...
Great Story...

She also found his obituary on Nova Scotia News online:

EMBERLY, Bruce Michael
EMBERLY, Bruce Michael - 50, Bedford, passed away Saturday, May 17, 2008, in the Halifax Infirmary, QEII, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Halifax, he was a son of Sylvia (Hynes) Emberly and the late William "Bill" Emberly. Second only to his love and compassion for his family and friends, Bruce was a loyal and passionate follower of the Pittsburgh Penguins and was recognized as their No. 1 fan. In his early years, Bruce enjoyed his long term involvement at the Halifax Forum with events such as hockey and bingo. Bruce was an employee of Metro Transit for 29 years. Bruce is survived by his wife and best friend, Denise; brother, Darrell (Susan), Dartmouth; stepchildren, Stephen (Rhonda) Brunet, Sackville; John (Lisa Wright) Brunet, Saint John, N.B.; Jake (Pascale Collette) Chiasson, Bedford, and Jodi (Jason Deal) Chiasson, White's Lake; stepgrandchildren, Devon, Marissa and Celeigh Brunet, and Cameron Chiasson. He was predeceased by sister, Debbie; brother, Thomas, and first wife, Glena Brunet-Emberly. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 20. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, with Pastor Micheal Trites officiating, with a reception to follow. Visitation and funeral to be held in Atlantic Funeral Home, 771 Main St., Dartmouth. Family flowers only. Donations may be made in Bruce's memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, Canadian Diabetes Association or Canadian Cancer Society. On-line condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: Atlantic Funeral Homes.

While I was searching for the CBC video, I found his entry on Slots For Mario, which was a petition to keep the Pens in Pittsburgh. Here are Bruce's own words:

4/6/2006 Bruce Emberly, Halifax, NS
Bruce's Comments: I'm Sidneys #1 fan and live in his home town. My wife and I made it down to Pittsburgh for Sidneys first home game . We fell in love with Pittsburgh and we know that Sidney fells just like he is at home. the people of Pittsburgh has taken him in just as one of his own. We can't wait to make another trip back. Please keep the Pens in Pittsburgh . It is our new getaway that we have made lots of friends. GO PENS GO

In the off chance that anyone who knew Bruce reads The Show, I offer my sincerest condolences on his loss.