Bruce Arthur Pope

August 2nd, 1945 - November, 22nd 2023

Bruce Arthur Pope, 78, passed away at his home on November 22nd, 2023. Born in Chicago, IL to Edward and Helen Pope, Bruce grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, where he was third born to a sibship of nine. Bruce was a longtime resident of Lisle, Illinois, where he raised his children, and later in life settled in Downers Grove, Illinois. Bruce joined the United States Army at just 17 years old and spent most of his service in Bad Kreuznach, Germany. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he met his wife of 56 years, Kathleen (Ashley) Pope, while working at the Chicago Transit Authority. Bruce later became a small business owner in 1978 when he and his dear friend, Mike Nile, bought Maple Auto Body in Downers Grove, which he ran for over 25 years.

Bruce was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, son, friend, and neighbor. In fact, wherever he lived, he managed to forge lifelong friendships with many of his beloved neighbors. Bruce was extremely generous, not only with his resources, but with his heart. He deeply cared about people and was genuinely interested in getting to know everyone he met. He always put other people’s needs in front of his own. But above all, the love for his family was the central point of Bruce’s life.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, son Jason (Nina) Pope, daughter Sarah (Shad) Melgarejo, granddaughters Sophia and Marne Pope, grandson Rocco Melgarejo, brothers Mark and Edward, sister Camille (Caupp), and numerous nieces and nephews, whom many count him as their favorite uncle.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Helen Pope, and his siblings, Michael, Nancy (Brosig), Jerome, John, and Mary (Blazek).

Friends and family will gather for a memorial visitation for Bruce that will be held between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. with a memorial service from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 at Blake Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Avenue (Route 53), Lisle, Illinois 60532.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Bruce’s name to the American Diabetes Association or Illinois AMVETS.