Bruce A. Demoranville Sr.

Bruce A. Demoranville, Sr., age 83, of Swansea, passed away on Monday, June 2, 2025, at Charlton Memorial Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Melanie E. (Pelletier) Demoranville to whom he had been married for 61 years.

Born in New Bedford, the son of Arnold and Elizabeth (Brightman) Demoranville, Bruce spent his early years in Killingly, Connecticut before moving to Swansea at age 10. A graduate of Joseph Case High School, class of 1959, Bruce received a bachelor’s degree from Nichols College. He was the founder of ABS Printing Co., Inc. in West Warwick, RI, which he proudly operated with his son, Buddy, for over 30 years, retiring in 2020.

During his career, Bruce was a member and officer of many professional organizations including West Warwick and Providence Chambers of Commerce. Active in his community, Bruce was a member of the Coles River Club as well as the Spar Island Racing Association (SIRA). Owning his first sailboat at 10 years old, Bruce held a lifelong passion for sailing and fishing. He participated in the Marion to Bermuda Race and raced Town Class (Townies) in the Narragansett Bay as a teenager, and raced with SIRA in later years. Family vacations were spent either camping in Maine, or cruising the islands with the SIRA families.

Bruce served in the National Guard, was a volunteer firefighter for the town of Swansea, and a Boy Scout leader. An avid sports fan, he was a devoted spectator at his grandsons’ many games. Bruce was a member and past president of the Descendents of Whaling Masters. He was proud that his great and great-great grandfathers were Whaling Masters who sailed out of New Bedford.

Many winter months were spent in their home in Bonita Springs, Florida, where Bruce was active in the community and often raced model sailboats. Many areas of Florida were explored and enjoyed during those years. Times were special when family and friends visited and enjoyed the amenities of the area.

Bruce and his wife lived a life filled with adventure and curiosity as they traveled the world. They achieved their quest of visiting all seven continents when they cruised to Antarctica in January 2012, rounding Cape Horn in the process. Adventurous travelers, they found joy together in exploring diverse cultures, visiting many countries on each continent.

In addition to his wife, Bruce is survived by his daughter, Melissa B. Kenyon and her husband Steven of Swansea; three grandsons: Andrew S. Kenyon and his wife Jillian of Swansea, Nicholas P. Kenyon and his wife Jessica of Warren and William T. Kenyon and his girlfriend Fallon Marchand of Swansea, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members. He was the father of the late Bruce A. (Buddy) Demoranville, Jr. and brother of the late Fay Logee, Jeanne Merrill and Gail Green.

His Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 9:00 AM from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Louis de France Church, 56 Buffinton St., Swansea. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial in Vinnicum Woods Cemetery, Swansea. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Contributions to the Bruce A. Demoranville Sr. and Jr. Scholarship Fund can be made payable to the Case High Scholarship Trust, PO Box 33, Swansea, MA 02777.