Bruce and Anne's Story
Bruce Oake was the first-born son of Anne and Scott Oake, a Gemini award-winning sportscaster, and Anne, a compassionate and dedicated registered nurse. Together, they had two sons, Bruce and Darcy. From an early age, Bruce was a vibrant and engaging child, known for his booming voice and lively personality. Despite his boundless energy, a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) made school challenging for him. However, Bruce’s resilience shone through as he adapted, becoming popular among his peers and working tirelessly to earn a spot on his high school basketball team.
Bruce was multi-talented—a Canada Games boxer and a gifted musician with a flair for winning rap battles. Yet, ADHD’s impulsive tendencies made him susceptible to risk-taking behaviors. No amount of guidance could shield him from the lure of drugs. What began as experimentation with marijuana in high school quickly escalated to ecstasy, crystal meth, and eventually heroin.
In his early twenties, Bruce entered a long-term treatment program with the full support of his parents. He initially found success at Simon House, a three-stage recovery center that provides tools to help individuals live with addiction and reintegrate into society. Bruce completed his first year, emerging clear-headed and fully accepting his identity as an addict. But the path of recovery is rarely linear. After a relapse, he returned to Simon House for a second attempt. Tragically, after leaving the program prematurely, Bruce succumbed to a heroin overdose at the age of 25.
Bruce’s passing left an immeasurable void in the lives of his family—his parents, Anne and Scott, and his younger brother Darcy. Anne, a nurturing and determined matriarch, channeled her grief into action, vowing to prevent other families from enduring similar heartache. With Scott by her side, she became the driving force behind the creation of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a facility modeled after Calgary’s Fresh Start Recovery Centre.
Anne’s passion and commitment to the addiction recovery community were extraordinary. Her unwavering dedication to the vision of the Recovery Centre made it a reality, offering thousands of men the tools and support needed to rebuild their lives and re-enter society. Anne was more than a mother grieving the loss of her son—she was a beacon of hope for countless families battling addiction. Her efforts created ripples of change across the community, reminding everyone that recovery is possible and that every life has value.
Heartbreakingly, Anne passed away suddenly, just months after the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre opened its doors. Her loss was deeply felt, but her legacy lives on. To honor both Bruce and Anne’s profound impact, the Bruce Oake Memorial Foundation has been renamed the Bruce and Anne Oake Memorial Foundation. This name change reflects not only the tragedy and hope inspired by Bruce’s story but also Anne’s visionary leadership and tireless advocacy for families affected by addiction.
Through the Bruce and Anne Oake Memorial Foundation, their family continues to carry forward their mission: ensuring that no family faces the devastating loss of a loved one to addiction without the hope and support they need to heal. The foundation remains a tribute to
Scott, Anne and Bruce.
If you are interested in helping, please donate.