Family legacy & the next generation of leaders

“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.”

— Benjamin Disraeli

On the day Bruce’s first grandchild (Kira) was born, with tears in his eyes, he held her and said, “My beautiful granddaughter, if you asked me for anything right now, I would move mountains to make it possible.” When his first grandson (Reid) was born two years later, he shed more tears when he saw that the baby had inherited Bruce’s distinctive red hair. In 2015, Kaileia arrived but Bruce was already moving through his Alzheimer’s journey. Within hours of her birth, he held Kaileia gently in his arms, rocking her back and forth saying, “I love you. I love you. I love you.” Young Bear was born just six weeks before his Papa passed away but he carries the legacy of the family name. These children loved their Papa deeply and knew that he loved them - they made him smile, laugh, dance, be silly, and cry with pride and joy. Every day, we think about how he would be kvelling to see them living their lives as he lived his - with empathy, compassion, optimism, drive, determination, and the concept of Tikkun Olam.

Kira recently authored an essay about her Papa and his legacy. Please click HERE to read her words.

All four grandchildren have stepped up to lead the “Next Generation Legacy Project” for the BAP Family Fund, realizing that their voices matter in the fight to find a cure. To learn more about the youth advocacy project and how you or the youth in your life can become involved, please email youth@bapfamilyfund.org

Bruce’s legacy continues through his grandchildren

L -> R: Kaileia Quinn, Reid Oliver, Kira Rose, & Tiberius “Bear” Jack