Bruce James Casanova Freeman

Bruce saw things and did things differently. He lived life with the intensity of a burning star. He talked to people that others looked past, and his conversations were genuine and kind. Destitute people gave him their change after he stopped to speak with them.

His personality helped other classmates and peers to feel comfortable and laugh. He loved apples so much he ate the entire apple; core, seeds and stem. He loved reading, learning, exploring and imagination. As soon as he could hold a pencil he started drawing and it was amazing to watch him create. Bruce was also a proud big brother to Cainen. Together, they learned to ride bikes, skateboards, scooters, skies, snowboards, dirt bikes and mountain bikes, to swim, dive, dance, knife throw, and play guitar. Bruce loved adventures. At age 5, he braved snorkeling in Cozumel and was so excited to see a shark, and at 13 he went spearfishing in Fiji and caught a small fish. Last summer he overcame a fear of heights by bungee jumping, in addition to spending 7 weeks mountain biking with Cainen and Chris. Bruce loved animals.

He quietly observed and patiently approach insects, lizards, birds and other wildlife and often caught and released. He tried many times to create his own fishing pole. Bruce loved to be active and was always moving. He developed his physical strengths through jujitsu and running. When he played video games, he either stood so he could jump and run with his character, or he bounced on his seat and shook the couch.

Bruce loved school, friends and teammates. He struggled to get his work done and to follow directions, but he never complained about going to school or wanted to stay home. He looked forward to seeing his friends and came home with so many jokes and funny stories his friends had told him. Bruce loved the NJROTC and wanted nothing more than to serve in the military. In the 7th grade, he watch the Centennial High School NJROTC perform at an assembly. He came home and told us he needed the structure of the military and he would do the NJROTC for four years, then serve the military for two years, and then the military would pay for his college. Bruce was so proud to join the NJROTC his freshman year, and the community he found there was important and special.

We all miss Bruce so much.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Mountain View Presbyterian Church, 8601 Del Webb Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89134, on May 9, 2026, at 11:00 am. A livestream will be available at https://www.youtube.com/@mountainviewpresbyterianch1315/streams. and https://www.facebook.com/people/Mountain-View-Presbyterian-Church/100064583623760/#