Description
In 1946, Raymond became manager of the Middleton Cardinals, taking them to the Provincial finals and then into the import-laden H & D League in 1947. He became Chairman of the Player Advisory Committee in 1947 with responsibility for procuring players from Central Canada and the United States to play with the Cardinals. In 1948, he relinquished the manager’s position becoming Business Manager and Chairman of the Fund Raising Committee, which were even more onerous positions. Raymond continued in these roles, ably assisted by his wife, Agnes, and daughter, Margrete, until the withdrawal of the Cardinals from the H & D League after the 1950 season.
Besides baseball, Raymond was a tower of strength in other sporting organizations in the Middleton area especially hockey, hunting and fishing from the 1930’s through the 40’s and 50’s. Both of the Bruce boys, Bev as a member of the 1951 Middleton Cardinals Maritime Intermediate Baseball Champs and Carl in the Athlete category, join their dad in the Sports Heritage Wall of Fame. The Bruce household served for many years as “a home away from home” for many young ballplayers coming to Middleton.
Raymond D. Bruce was the Imperial Oil Agent in Middleton for many years. He passed away in Middleton on May 15, 1967.