Bruce L. Borden

Bruce Lindsey Borden, 86, of Keene, died Monday morning, September 22, 2014, at the Westwood Care and Rehabilitation Center, after a period of declining health. His wife Phyllis and family were by his side.

He was born on November 11, 1927, the son of William and Grace (Ferguson) Borden, in Menasha, WI.

Bruce moved to Keene while he was in the sixth grade. He graduated from Keene High School in 1944. He was proud to have been awarded the “Sharby Trophy” while playing on the 1944 undefeated football team his senior year. In 1949 he graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS degree in Agriculture.

Bruce married Phyllis R. Newcombe in 1970 and celebrated over 44 years together.

Bruce served two years in the U.S. Navy as a Submarine “Greenfish” Petty Officer 1st Class. He owned and operated Ellis Bother’s Green House for ten years as a Horticulturalist and owned Mac’s Cut Rate on Main St in downtown Keene.

Bruce loved sports including golf, skiing, football, basketball and tennis. He enjoyed his many annual skiing trips to Tuckermans Ravine with friends and family. After retirement Bruce enjoyed time traveling with his wife Phyllis. Over time he has been a member with the Keene Elks Lodge #927, the American Legions Gordon Bissell Post #4 the Masonic Lodge, and the Shriners. He was a member of the NH Maple Producers Association, while operating his own sugar house for over 50 years.

Survivors include his wife: Phyllis R. Borden of Keene; his son Thomas Borden of Keene; two step daughters Mary Watkins Patenaude and her husband Richard of Dunlap, TN and Deborah Van Fleet and her husband Larry of Omaha, NE; five grandsons: Jake and Justin Borden of Keene, Sean and Bryan O’Neil of FL and Nathan Van Fleet of NE; a granddaughter: Jennifer O’Neil of FL; two brothers: William “Bill” Borden of Keene, and James Borden of Valatie, NY, three nephews: Dan and Dave Borden of Keene and Doug Borden of Utah; a niece: Cindy Hatt of Westmoreland; three great grandsons, three great nephews and six great nieces.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 26, 2014 at noon at the United Church of Christ in Keene. Burial will follow in the family lot in Monadnock View Cemetery also in Keene. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2014 from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at the Fletcher Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made, in Bruce L. Borden’s name, to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org), P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011

Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com), 33 Marlboro St., Keene, NH has been entrusted with the arrangements.