Robert E. Bruce,

ROBERT E. BRUCE, SR. ATHOL- Robert E. Bruce, Sr., 65, of 132 Elizabeth Street, died Monday April 29, 2002 in Athol Memorial Hospital, surrounded by family. He was the beloved husband of Sandra P. (Townson) Bruce. They exchanged their wedding vows on Sept. 3, 1960, and were married for 41 years. He was born Nov. 14, 1936 in Brockton, MA, son of Nelson and Hazel (Brooks) Bruce, Sr., and lived most of his childhood on a farm in Easton. He served in the United States Army during the 1960's, and was a Reservist for six years following his honorable discharge. Mr. Bruce was a tool and dye machinist at Wind Specialty Corporation in Brockton, and then at Duall Plastics in Athol, retiring in 1999. He enjoyed challenge square dancing, camping, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren and family. Besides his wife, he leaves two sons, Robert E. Bruce, Jr. of Athol, and Thomas H. Bruce and his partner Cindy Anderson of Princeton; two daughters, Linda A. Bachman and her partner Steven Johnson of Athol, and Lori Jillson and her husband Howard of Athol; seven grandchildren: Sara Bachman, Sondra Jillson, and Dominic, Angelina and Christina Bruce, all of Athol, Meagan Bruce of Phillipston, and Anthony Scerra of Orange; a sister, Margory Rich of Maine; a sister-in-law, Shirley Bruce of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Conrad Bruce and Nelson Bruce, Jr., and a sister, Phyllis O'Brien. The funeral Mass, with military honors, will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street. Private burial will be held in Jonas Alliene Cemetery, Royalston. Calling hours are private. The family suggests donations be made to American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701; or to American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852; or to American Diabetes Association, Mass. Division, P.O. Box 31160, Hartford, CT 06150. J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main Street, Athol, is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });