Justin Bieber Says Goodbye to Beloved Grandpa Bruce Dale

Justin Bieber is mourning the passing of his grandfather, Bruce Dale, who died on April 24 at the age of 80 at the Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth in Ontario.

The W.G. Young Funeral Home in Stratford confirmed the news, and honestly, it hits close to home for Bieber—and for anyone who had a grandparent who was more like a best buddy with strong opinions about junior hockey refs.

Bruce Dale wasn’t just Justin’s grandpa; he was his snack-sharing, slushie-sipping sidekick who knew the true joy of a Friday night minor league hockey game. Bieber paid tribute on April 26 with a touching Instagram post featuring a throwback photo and a nostalgic trip down memory lane that included corn nuts, Skittles, and heckling referees Beatty, Fagon, and Flanagan. (If you know, you know.)

According to Justin, his grandfather would nudge him to spend his weekly $20 allowance on all the good stuff—gumballs and snacks galore—because what else is money for when you're 10 and the arena sells blue raspberry slush puppies?

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Dale wasn’t just a behind-the-scenes supporter either. He made an appearance in Never Say Never, Bieber’s 2011 documentary, and even shared stories at the Stratford Perth Museum back in 2018, where Justin had his hometown exhibit. Yes, Stratford’s other big claim to fame besides Shakespeare and swans is being the launchpad for the Biebs.

Bruce is survived by a close-knit family that includes Justin’s wife Hailey, their son Jack Blues (adorable name alert), as well as Dale’s children and his wife, Diane.

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While Bieber hasn’t dropped a new album since 2021 and has been keeping a fairly low profile (aside from the odd run-in with paparazzi in L.A.), this recent loss seems to have brought him back to his roots—those small-town Ontario memories that made him who he is.

Here’s to grandpas who cheer the loudest, carry snacks in their coat pockets, and never miss a chance to chirp the refs.