Robert Farnsworth Bruce, age 60, of Candia, New Hampshire, formerly of Merrimack, New Hampshire, Brimfield, and Sturbridge, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2014 at his home in Candia surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, son of the late Chandler G. Bruce, Sr. and Dora M. (Farnsworth) Bruce Fossett, and the stepson of Edward Fossett.
In his life, Bob served in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer working on P-3 Orions, a submarine hunting aircraft. Most recently, he was employed by EMC of Westborough, Massachusetts, as a Principal Software Quality Engineer. Bob had worked in the software industry for Wang, Adaptec, and Getronics. He founded Starlite Systems International developing software and coding for small and large companies and creating intricate networks for Police, Fire, and Emergency Municipal services. He worked at the Wilton Police Department as an officer. He also served his community of Candia serving on the Planning Board for three years, and the Board for the Manchester Family Homeless Shelter for five years.
Bob Bruce was interested in improving the world around him. He was very involved with the New Hampshire Democratic Party and in trying to bring a “Better Way” to all the citizens of New Hampshire. To that end, he ran for State Representative, Executive Council and U.S. Congress. Bob was always working for the betterment of those around him.
He enjoyed the peace and solitude of fresh water fishing, working with his tractor to develop his property, and was an accomplished woodworker. Bob spent the last 17 years renovating his 1800’s farmhouse and left many projects as “parting gifts”. He truly was a man of many resources.
He was the “Man Friend” and “The Husband” of Carol Jordan, who was devotedly “Bob’s Wife”. They were joined in marriage on July 5th, 1998 (Bob’s last day of freedom) on the Carousel in Hull, Massachusetts. They enjoyed all of the ups and downs in their life together. They enjoyed traveling all over the world from standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona to strolling down Abbey Road and everything in between.
He was loving parent to Bridget Heard; loving grandfather to her son Christian Hyatt of Merrimack; father to Maria Heard and grandfather to her sons, Melvin, Michael, and Dylan of Akron, Ohio; loving brother to Chandler Bruce of Manchester and Candace Barone of Hull, Massachusetts; uncle to Tamra Masterson. and Brian Knibbs; and grateful cousin to Judy Lilly of Trenton, Maine
Visitation was held on Friday May 9 from 4 to 8PM at the McHugh Funeral Home 283 Hanover Street corner of Beech St. in Manchester. A Memorial Service was celebrated on Saturday May 10 at 10:30AM in the funeral home. Everyone was invited to attend a celebration of life at the family’s home in Candia following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations in Bob’s name be made to the Liberty House 75 W. Baker St. Manchester, NH 03103 or to the VNA Home Health & Hospice Services 1070 Holt Ave. Suite 1400 Manchester, NH 03109.
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