John Bruce MacLiver

Dwight D. Eisenhower said, "The qualities of a great man are vision integrity, courage, understanding, the power of articulation and profundity of character.” John Bruce MacLiver will be fondly remembered as a man of great character. He entered his heavenly home on April 26, 2018, following a short illness. Bruce was born August 8, 1936, to Thomas and Jean Lee MacLiver in Trinidad, Colorado. A proud Coloradoan, Bruce had a Norman Rockwell type of childhood and many friends he stayed in touch with over the years. He graduated from Trinidad High School in 1954. He attended college at Trinidad State Junior College and the University of Colorado in Boulder. He also served in the US Army and US Army Reserves. He held a career in what is now known as Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad that spanned close to 40 years. His job would take him to Chicago, Wyoming, Texas, Missouri, and Billings, Montana, where he met his future wife Diane Glantz who also was employed by the railroad. In July 1974, they married and spent a year in Sheridan, Wyoming, before moving back to his hometown of Trinidad, to give his new daughter the same picturesque life he'd had. Jadine was Diane's daughter from a previous marriage. Bruce proved to be a loving and supportive father who was at most every sporting event or school function and provided her with the confidence in herself to pursue a career in Broadcast Journalism. And years later when Jadine landed a job in Fresno, California, as the main anchor of the Fox affiliate he couldn't have been prouder. In December 2008, Bruce and Diane moved to Fresno, to be closer to their only daughter, her husband, Greg Romagnoli, and their young children. Bruce was so very proud of his grandchildren and their accomplishments in academics and sports. He cherished time spent with family. Bruce was a member of the board of Trinidad State Junior College Educational Foundation. He took up the hobby of woodworking in his later years. Both Diane and Jadine have items gracing their homes that Bruce made with his own hands. One of those prized possessions is a cradle that each of the Romagnoli children slept in as newborns. And you can bet each project was finished to perfection! He was almost obsessed with making every detail just so! Through the years the MacLivers enjoyed trips back to Colorado, family visits to Montana, and many travel adventures with Diane's brother and family. Bruce grew up an only child but relished being part of Diane's big German Family. It was the same when the MacLivers moved to Fresno, with their closest friends being Greg's parents. The large Romagnoli Family welcomed them with open arms inviting them to spend holidays together and even trips to the family vacation home in Santa Cruz. He was a man of faith who always attended and served in his church and was a member at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Fresno. He was an inspiration at his local gym where he was diligent about working out to keep fit. He was definitely a people person and could visit with anyone about anything. He truly cared about people and their lives. He had a great sense of humor and could always make people laugh with his arsenal of stories past and present. To say he was well-read would be an understatement. He always read anything he could get his hands on and because of this he had knowledge in many different areas. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law. He will be dearly missed and is survived by his wife Diane of 43 years, his daughter Jadine Romagnoli, his grandchildren Lucas, Gianna and Mia; brother-in-law Jerry (Pam) Glantz and two nieces Shannon (Joel) Janssen and Erin Glantz; along with countless extended family and friends from all walks of life. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, May 3, at 11:00 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Inurnment at a later date. Remembrances may be made to Trinidad State Junior College Educational Foundation or an organization of your choice.