Community builder, champion, set the bar
Diagnosed with liver cancer, suffering a stroke, the Ironman finisher’s life gets cut short
Penticton property developer Bruce Schoenne, whose company was responsible for building more than 100 housing units in the past five years, has died.
The 58-year-old president of Schoenne Homes passed away Sunday afternoon at Moog and Friends Hospice House after a battle with cancer.
“He was diagnosed in January with a terminal liver cancer and just was told at the time that with chemo and a trial drug from the States they would be able to extend his life, but not cure his cancer,” his sister, Gitta Schoenne, said Monday.
Schoenne then suffered a stroke in May that paralyzed his right side and caused him difficulty walking, after which the cancer returned with a vengeance.
His sudden decline came as a shock to family and friends of the nine-time Ironman finisher and two-time Ultraman Canada finisher.
“He just led a healthy life and it’s just not fair,” said Gitta.
Schoenne moved to Penticton from Edmonton with his family at the age of 13 and entered the workforce as a real estate appraiser for the company founded by his father. He later moved into property development.
Two more notable projects he didn’t get to see to completion are a five-storey mixed-use building with 14 apartments on Front Street and a 24-unit townhouse development on Eckhardt Avenue that are both still under construction.
The company has completed 70 units in duplexes and townhouses in the downtown area since 2013, according to staff at the City of Penticton.
“Bruce was a community builder and champion both figuratively and literally. Many may recognize him for his work on increasing density with his duplex and townhouse developments, but Bruce also volunteered on several city and community committees,” Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said in a statement.
“The fact that Bruce was very healthy, active and passionate about our community and now taken so quickly, while in his prime, makes it very difficult to comprehend and accept. It is a very sad day and our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family.”
Schoenne’s son, Christopher, is now running Schoenne Homes. He is also survived by daughter Lindsay, wife Lynn, mother Gisela and brother Jim.
Gitta will remember her brother for “always setting the bar for all of us — just his sense of community, what he’s done for the community, his determination, his work ethic.”
Schoenne was honoured during last weekend’s Ride to Survive, a cycling fundraiser for cancer research in which he had participated in the past. Team members this year retired his No. 85 jersey.
A celebration of life will be held July 2, from 2-4 p.m., in the East Ballroom at the Penticton Lakeside Resort. In lieu of flowers, people are asked to donate to their charity of choice.