Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

ROCKLAND - Charles F. Bruce, Jr. ‘Bucky’ 78, died unexpectedly, surrounded by his loving family, Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Born March 4, 1936 in Fort Fairfield, he was the son of Charles, Sr. and Evylena Stanley Bruce. Educated locally, he was a 1954 graduate of Fort Fairfield High School.

Following graduation, Charles enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served proudly aboard a submarine as a torpedo man. While serving, Charles married his high school sweetheart and best friend, Darlene Michaud, in Ft. Fairfield. Upon being honorably discharged, Charles spent one year studying at M.C.I. before graduating from the University of Maine at Orono with a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry.

Entering the workforce, Charles and Darlene eventually moved to Rockport where he became a hotel entrepreneur. A man of many talents, he enjoyed many hours on the water as a lobster fisherman.

His wife said he was a ‘Can Do’ kind of man with a Yankee Ingenuity that was unsurpassed.

His passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of all who knew him.

Predeceased by two brothers and two sisters, Charles is survived by his beloved wife, Darlene of Rockland; his son, Charles F. Bruce, III of Portland; two daughters Bethany Bruce (Rob) Bonosconi of Preston, CT, Angela Bruce (Alan) Williams of Falmouth; seven grandchildren, Jessica & Justin Bonosconi, Sydney and Macklin Williams, Benjamin Bruce, Samuel Bruce and Charles Bruce, IV.

A celebration of Charles' life will be held at 9:30 AM, Saturday, June 7, 2014, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A gathering at the Samoset Resort, Penobscot Bay Room, will follow immediately.

Flowers are gratefully accepted; however those who wish may make memorial donations to either, Boy Scouts of America, Pine Tree Council, 125 Auburn Street, Portland, Maine 04103; or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 300, Memphis, TN 38148-0552.