Bruce Opland

Bruce was born September 23, 1941, at Calumet Public Hospital in Laurium, Michigan, to Walter Opland and Cecelia Olander. He grew up in Laurium in Michigan’s beautiful Copper Country and graduated from Calumet High School in 1960.

After high school, Bruce proudly served in the United States Air Force at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Marquette, Michigan. As an electrician, he worked on aircraft and helped keep planes flying safely. In 1968, he began his career with Michigan Bell Telephone Company in Iron Mountain. In 1980, he and his family moved to Florida, where he continued his career with Southern Bell and eventually retired from the company. He lived in Jensen Beach before moving to Port St. Lucie in 1996.

Bruce was a true jack of all trades. If something needed fixing, building or figuring out, there was a good chance Bruce could handle it. He was practical, capable and dependable, and always found a way to take care of the people he loved.

Bruce also believed strongly in giving back. He was a longtime member of the BellSouth Pioneers and volunteered extensively with Florida State Parks, giving more than 2,000 hours of his time, most recently at Savannah Preserve State Park on Walton Road in Port St. Lucie. He volunteered with the Boys & Girls Clubs and was an original board member of the Gertrude Walden Learning Center in the 1980s. He supported organizations including the Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, Doctors Without Borders and the ASPCA, and was a regular blood donor, giving more than 25 gallons over the years.

But Bruce’s greatest commitment was always his family. He and Gloria built a life centered around their small, close-knit family. Bruce especially treasured being “papa” to Cameron and Eve, a role that brought him so much joy. Weekly family dinners brought everyone together, and those simple evenings around the table became some of the most treasured memories.

Bruce was a quiet but incredibly strong presence who took care of his family in every way. He worked hard, planned ahead and made sure the people he loved were safe, secure and provided for. He didn’t make a big show of what he did. He simply did it. That was Bruce.

He was also a loyal friend and a wonderful neighbor. His neighbors became friends and, in many cases, family. He especially valued his weekly coffee gatherings with his BellSouth Pioneer friends.

Bruce loved the outdoors. He cherished returning to Michigan’s Copper Country and spending time at the family camp on Big Traverse Lake. He enjoyed boating on Lake Superior, snowmobiling, biking and gardening, and he was an animal lover.

He was a devoted hockey fan, following both the Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers. An avid reader, Bruce especially enjoyed history. He loved classical music and country music, particularly his beloved Dolly Parton. And if you ever challenged him to a game of solitaire, you probably shouldn’t have expected to win.

Bruce loved a good Michigan pasty, a great steak and anything cooked on the grill. He also never needed much convincing when someone suggested going out for ice cream.

Bruce is survived by his beloved wife, Gloria Senne Opland; his loving daughter, Angela Marie Opland; his cherished grandchildren, Cameron Ennis and Eve Ennis; and his cousin, Carol Olander Kuhn.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Paul Opland and Eric Opland, and his sister, Beatrice Greif.

Bruce leaves behind the people he helped, the animals he cared about, the places he loved, the friendships he treasured and the family he protected. He was steady, generous, curious, helpful and deeply devoted to the people he loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Bruce in a way that reflects the life he lived. Give an hour of your time to volunteer for a cause you care about, help someone who needs it, donate blood, spend time caring for an animal, or make a donation to an organization that matters to you. Bruce believed in giving back, and there is no better way to remember him than by continuing that spirit of generosity.

No formal service has been planned. In true Bruce fashion, the family has chosen to celebrate his life privately—no frills, no pomp and circumstance, just living life and supporting those we love.

And knowing Bruce, he probably would have preferred we wrap this up and go get some ice cream.