Monday, March 2, 2026
I first met Bruce in Dartmouth Nova Scotia in 1968 when we worked together on the FIOR iron ore project at the Dartmouth Refinery for Esso. Bruce was always friendly and got along with everyone. Never an unkind word.
Later when he and his family moved to New Jersey, we again met at Esso/Exxon. We lived not far from each other and attended the same church, St. Joseph’s, in Medham, and that is where I got to know the whole family: Mary, Mike, David, and Mary Ann. We often played cards and other games with the whole family some evenings.
One fond memory occurred one Halloween: A group of us Exxon men would play trick-or-treat on other Exxon men, getting permission from their wives first. We unscrewed all of the light bulbs in the outdoor fixtures on the house they were renting so that our other shenanigans would not be seen. Bruce came out later thinking we were gone to screw the bulbs back in. The whole family came out with him. The only thing that prevented us from going inside and taking over the house was that Jigs was ferociously growling at us. Like so many of the other men we played tricks on over the years he couldn’t understand why the family was enjoying this so much while he was so irritated. All of them knew what was going on and were enjoying it to the hilt.
Later on, we visited often. Bruce was a devoted husband and took great care of Mary. After moving to Colorado, I didn’t get to see them, but did maintain contact by telephone, I last talked with Bruce shortly after his 95th birthday in January. I was saddened to learn of his passing on to God. My condolences to Mike, David, and Mary Ann as I think back on those evenings we spent together those many years ago.
