Obituary of Bruce Huff

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Bruce Huff on June 27,2024, in London, in his 91st year. Predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years Carolyn(Deline)(2016). Beloved father to Kelly (Cynthia Taylor) and Tim(Sue Rolfe) and cherished grandfather to Stephanie, Taylor(Mark), Kelly Breanne(Dan) and Brendan. 

Bruce was the first of three children born to Jean (Eberle) and Eugene Huff in Morpeth, Ontario June 22,1934. He is survived by his brother Neil (late Sharron) and his sister Hazel B McDonald (Allan). 

Bruce’s life can be summed up in one word “sports “. Playing, coaching and writing about “sports “. He dedicated himself to the world of sports by means of the written word and a lifetime of active involvement. Bruce did not just report the local sports scene, he lived it. He had been involved in a long list of sporting organizations such football, fastball, lacrosse, baseball, minor hockey and oldtimers hockey. He is known for his long career in sports journalism.

A legend in sports circles across Southwestern Ontario, Bruce got his start right out of high school as a sports writer for the Tillsonburg News. He then worked at the Chatham Daily News for three years before moving to the London Free Press in 1956. Bruce took over as Sports Editor at age 32 in 1966. During his 25 year career at the Free Press he was known for his personal trademark column “Off the Cuff by Bruce Huff”. 

In 1980 he moved on to the Toronto Sun for 14 years, the last eight serving as Assistant Sports Editor. Bruce also worked as a columnist for the Toronto Star from 1994 until 1999. Throughout his journalism career he attended both Summer and Winter Olympics, Super Bowls, Grey Cups, Stanley Cups, World Series and world championships in almost every sport covering both professional and amateur athletics. 

Bruce was inducted into the Canadian Oldtimers Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2003 he was named London’s Sportsman of the year and in 2005 he was named to the Ontario Legends of Fastball as builder and was inducted into the Dresden Sports Hall of Fame.

In 2008 Bruce was inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame in the builder/founder category for his role in the sporting life of the London area and his sports journalism career. In 2013 he was named to the Mayor’s New Years’s Honour List for Sports to honour his contributions to sports and recreation in London. 

Our family was very proud of Bruce for being the top fundraiser in Ontario for the Alzheimer Memory Walk in 2014 and 2015- in honour of our Mom.

We would like to thank the staff at both the Waverly Retirement Home and Westmount Gardens Long Term Care for their care and compassion. 

Anyone wishing to make a donation is asked to consider their favourite charity. Please no flowers or trees. Respecting Bruce’s wishes there will be no visitation or service.