Bruce Brian Kingston

Bruce "Bru" Brian Kingston (age 64) of Arlington, VA died unexpectedly of complications during heart surgery on Thursday January 26, 2017 at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Bruce was predeceased by his father, Arthur Kenneth Kingston, and his mother, Effie May (Smyth) Kingston. He is survived by his family in Arlington—his wife, Colleen Sue Coyne; son, Jack Coyne Kingston (age 15); and daughter, Maggie Kellen Kingston (age 11). He also leaves behind a brother, Don Kingston (Sterling, VA); and two sisters-in-law, Sharon Kingston (Sterling, VA) and Kathie Coyne (Clifton, VA).

Born 10/19/1952 in Colorado Springs, CO to a military family—his father was a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force—as a child Bruce moved frequently. He lived in Chicopee Falls, MA; Atwater, California; Yakota, Japan; and briefly in Connecticut before settling in Virginia. Bruce graduated from George C. Marshall High school in Falls Church and attended Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). In 1993 he met his wife Colleen in Alexandria, VA where they worked together at the National Society of Professional Engineers. They were married in 1998 in Arlington, VA. A life-long printer, Bruce was employed by Arlington Public Schools.

Bruce enjoyed his family and the work and play of parenting tremendously; in turn, his wife and children adored him. An “older” dad who sported specs and scars, he managed to stay one hundred percent relevant to his friends of all ages, many of them young. Drawing on life experiences and a rich imagination, he told the best, the wildest stories. He also could listen without judgment and was someone people trusted. Bruce was endlessly curious, relentlessly honest, and valued people’s idiosyncrasies more than their polish. He loved playing catch with his kids, hosting play dates for his daughter, joking with his son and his son’s friends. He was master of thoughtful, funny gifts and trying new recipes. Bruce read deeply, broadly, and frequently; his favorite author was Jack Kerouac. He loved listening to music, especially Bob Dylan, and had a deep knowledge of and appreciation for blues and rock; was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Montréal Canadiens; he liked the TV series “Shameless.” A friend to all, Bruce never met a baby he didn't want to make laugh. He never passed a homeless person he didn’t want to help. He had a passion for travel, art, and fishing. Most of all he loved life. Bruce’s wife describes him as happy and joyful, always the one to lighten a mood or make a room laugh. It is an understatement to say he will be sorely missed.

The funeral for Bruce Kingston will be held on Friday, February 3, 2017 at National Memorial Park Funeral Home, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA. Visitation hours are from 12:30 -2:00 PM, followed by a service in the chapel at 2:00 pm. The family welcomes Bruce’s friends, neighbors and family members to bring their stories and memories to share. Online condolences and wishes for the family can be offered at www.nationalfh-mp.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the following nonprofits: NPR http://www.npr.org/stations/, St. Joseph’s Indian School http://www.stjo.org/ or the ACLU https://action.aclu.org/secure/make-gift-aclu-someones-memory.