culture

W. Bruce Leslie

Image of W. Bruce Leslie

Bruce Leslie was born on September 27, 1909. He was an only child whose early days were
filled working with his father learning the tricks of the newspaper trade before he officially
joined the The Review staff in October 1928.
Starting in the editorial department, Bruce held several positions including telegraph editor
where he was responsible for gathering and editing stories that came across the newswire. He
matured into city reporter, covering everything from the collapse of the Honeymoon Bridge in
1938 to the latest goings-on at city hall. By the 1940's he moved to the papers advertising
department and eventually assumed the role of general manager, editor and acting publisher of
The Review in 1956.
Over the years, Bruce was also a popular columnist and wrote several daily columns for The
Review including "Scouse" (a comic news column that ran from 1931 to 1940) and "Letters That
Missed The Mail" (a folksy humour column that ran from 1958 to 1969) featuring a character
named "Joe Swampweed". In local circles, Bruce was often nicknamed "Joe Swampweed" due
his strong connection with his column. His most well known column was "From One Angle"
which stared in 1970 and largely reflected on small moments that took place around his rural
Willoughby home. His column featured several recurring characters including his two Yorkshire
terriers, his pet cats and notably "Mrs. Green thumb" a pseudonym he used for Wyn, his avid
gardening wife. He sold The Review in 1973 to the Thomson Corporation.
Bruce Leslie passed away on December 19, 1995 at the age of eighty-six having spent seven
decades as writer, publisher and an active member of the Niagara Falls community.