Bruce Irving Ricker

Bruce I. Ricker, age 84 of Lynn, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Karolyn (Kal) A. (Lunden) Ricker married 60 years. Devoted father of Kristin Mae Ricker Fenn and her husband David C. Fenn. Cherished grampy of Kathryn (Kat) E. Fenn and Victoria (Tori) A. Fenn. Loving brother of the late Ronald D. Ricker and his surviving wife, Beverly (Davis) Ricker of Arlington, TX. Dear son of the late Russell D. Ricker and Anna A. (Pelczar) Ricker. He is survived by many beloved Pelczar cousins and many Ricker and Lunden nieces and nephews.

Bruce was lifelong Lynner, a graduate of Lynn English High School, class of 1959. He received his Associate Degree in Electrical Mechanical Engineering and worked at GE, as an Aviation Engineering Technician for over 40 years.

He served four years in the Coast Guard on the US Coast Guard Cutter, Casco, traveling the waters from Boston, to Newfoundland and on land in Turkey before ending his service at Winter Island Coast Guard Station, Salem. MA.

In his youth Bruce was a Boy Scout and Youth Group member of the old St. Paul's Methodist Church, Lynn. He and his youth group members salvaged a cross and other significant artifacts after a devastating fire in the church in 1958. As an adult, he was a member of the Lynn Fish and Game and earned his small aircraft pilot's license.

Bruce and Kal did much together including being Sunday School Teachers at Grace Episcopal Church in Salem, MA. They were founding members of the Essex County Wheelmen, an affiliate of the American Youth Hostel of which they were also members and members of the local League of American Wheelmen, another bicycling group in the 1970s and 80s. They enjoyed guided Sunday, Nature Hikes in Rockport. Bruce supported Kal and Kristin by becoming a registered Girl Scout to join in their troop's adventures, all but camping! He is still a well loved Girl Scout dad. He was also a dedicated American Field Service (AFS) host parent to many, with Kal hosting foreign exchange students during their short stays. Bruce was beloved for his entertaining tales of local history on the many (AFS) local field trips around the North Shore and Boston. His storytelling skills are legendary and have been enjoyed by all who Bruce has spoken to over the entirety of his life from his time with the kids and on through his many memberships and everyday family life.

Bruce became a Mason in many local Masonic lodges, beginning in 1976 at Bethlehem Lodge, his home lodge in Lynn, MA. He was a founding member of the North Shore Daylight Lodge of Beverly in 1992, joined Golden Fleece in Lynn in 2001 and Philanthropic in Marblehead in 2008. He was a Worshipful Master of Bethlehem in 1983, Worshipful Master of 29th Lodge of Instruction in 1987, and District Deputy Grand Marshal of The 8th Masonic District in 1998. He also served as Excellent High Priest of Sutton Royal Arch Chapter. He was a member of Shrine. Most recently, he happily received his 50 year medal and Masonic Military Service Award from Ascendus Lodge and the 9th Masonic District.

Over the years Bruce and Kal enjoyed many a Firemen's Muster representing the Atlantic Tub from Swampscott, hosted alternating Progressive Dinners with four other couples and were dedicated blood donors at many Masonic Blood drives.

In addition to his dedication to the Masons, Bruce was a past president and multi-committee chair during many years of membership in the Greater Lynn Photographic Association. He used his talents to educate and support amateur photographers, while he competed in slides and prints. He and Kal both achieved the high honor of an MNEC award, Master Member of New England Camera Club Council. He photographed many Masonic Installations and events as well as those of many family and friends.

In his not so free time, he could be found in the garage working on one of his loved MGs or any other vehicle in the yard, down in the cellar soldering something or creating detailed wooden boxes for photographic equipment, helping others with their projects or just fiddling with a watch band at his desk. He was a Master of Fix It skills.

Bruce loved all the special celebrations with his family and friends, time with the family's many pets (3 Labradors, 7 house rabbits a couple Goldfish and 3 Hamsters, too, over a 30 year period). Spending time with Kristin, David, Kat and Tori was really special. He is loved and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Visiting Hours are Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple Street, Lynn, followed by a Masonic Service. His funeral service will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, followed by burial at Pine Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers (no lilies please), please make a donation to Shriners Children's or a charity of your choice. For more information or to register in the online guestbook, please visit www.cuffemcginn.com.