John Earl Bruce

John Bruce, loving husband, father, son, brother and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Jan. 5, 2026. John loved people and had a heart to serve others. He grew up in Kensington. He was a lifeguard, had a career with the Oceanside Fire Dept. for 30 years and served as a volunteer with the San Diego Sheriff Search and Rescue team helping to search for those that were missing. He just recently joined the Friends of Palomar Mountain. For 8 years John volunteered as a Trail Angel, helping provide Pacific Crest Trail hikers with food, water and rest along the trail. He played many instruments and was involved with the Bluegrass community playing stand-up bass. He was an avid bicyclist, and was involved with the ATV community attending jamborees in Utah and Idaho for 20 years. John attended Hoover High School in San Diego, planned many class reunions and stayed connected to his classmates.

He took up cycling after retiring from the Fire Department and would ride 100-200 miles a week and participated in many “century” rides. He learned how to make jams, using the fruits from the many trees he had, and loved to give his jams away to friends and family.

John was the “jack of all trades”, able to fix or build just about anything.

John was a kind, patient and giving person. He loved talking to people and would help anyone in need. He was the unofficial "Mayor" of the neighborhood.

John will be missed immensely and leaves a huge whole in our hearts. He had an unwavering faith in God and did not compromise on that. He is resting peacefully in his heavenly Father's arms.