Gordon Bruce

Gordon F. Bruce, 78, died Monday from complications due to A.L.S. A native of Syracuse, Gordon resided in North Syracuse since 1957. He was the son of the late William F. Bruce and Marion Rhinehart.
Gordon earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Syracuse University. He retired from Carrier Corp in 1993 after being employed for 37 years as a manufacturing engineer. More recently, he served as a driver for North Area Meals on Wheels. Gordon was in active duty with the Army during the Korean War where he served in the 424th field artillery battalion. Gordon was an avid Red Sox fan and enjoyed reading especially about the history of the Civil War, doing jumbles and puzzles, and spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife; they have been thru Europe, Scandinavia, Alaska, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. He was president of the North Syracuse Babe Ruth league in the mid 1970?s and he was scoutmaster of Troop 167 at Andrews Memorial Church where one son earned his eagle award and 2 sons earned their life awards. Gordon was very active in his church, Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in North Syracuse, where he served on a past call committee and as a liturgical deacon for 10 years. He was a long time member of the senior choir.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan Landis, his brother Robert, of Jamesville, three sons: Steven Kathy of Mission Viejo, CA, Brian Mary of Baldwinsville, and Jeffrey, of Cicero, and his seven grandchildren: Matthew, Elisabeth, Corey, Griffin, Spencer, Parker, and Conner.
Friends may call Thursday from 4-7pm at Krueger Funeral 2619 Brewerton Rd. Mattydale. Services are Friday, 1pm at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church. Burial will be in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Dewitt. Contributions may be made to A.L.S. Association Upstate NY Chapter, PO 127, Elbridge NY 13060 or to Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 435 South Main Street, North Syracuse NY 13212.



Steve?s Eulogy To Dad - Given on 08/10/07

On behalf of the entire Bruce Family, I would like to thank you for coming today to remember and celebrate the wonderful life of Gordon Bruce.

As a small boy growing up, I took my parents for granted, probably like most kids do. Now looking back on my childhood, I have come up with some conclusions.

I truly believe my Dad had a unique calling. I am sure you have heard the common expression ? Jack-of-all-trades but Master of none. Well that was my Dad! I would like to take that expression one step further and define it as ? An Official Gap Filler. This title does not sound glamorous, flamboyant, or fancy. But, if you knew Gordon you would never describe him in those terms.

In the mid-sixties, I remember my dad being encouraged to join a barbershop quartet. The quartet sang in the basement of the old Atonement Church. My Dad was the last singer added to the quartet. He filled that Gap! He made that singing group complete.
Now, anytime I hear a singing group singing in four-part harmony I remember my Dad. Boy, could that quartet sing! Boy, could my Dad sing, he loved to sing.

In 1969, I joined the Boy Scouts at Andrews Memorial Church. My Dad would stay at the meetings and soon became the Treasurer keeping track of the troop?s funds. Again, There?s Dad filling a Gap! Next came assistant Scout Master, then finally Scout Master. He did not actively pursue these positions; there was a Gap and Gordon Filled it. Troop 167 became larger and stronger under Gordon?s leadership. One last thought about Scouts.

Each summer my Dad would take the troop to camp Sabatis in the Adirondacks. One year the troop was hiking to Crystal Lake to swim. The tradition back then was to hike to the lake, skinny-dip and hike back. I remember being nervous about skinny-dipping and my Dad giving me encouragement, saying that it is OK to wear your underwear swimming. So, I thought my Dad was going to wear his underwear swimming. When we arrived at Crystal Lake, there?s Dad dropping his shorts wearing nothing but a smile and signaling to everyone,?come on Boys follow me!?
For the Record I still wore my underwear swimming that day. Boy, my Dad loved Boy Scouts, he loved to swim.

In 1973, I was 14, and a freshman in High School. I loved playing basketball. I played it all the time. I believe it was Dick Bader who organized an intramural basketball league on Sunday nights at Cicero Elementary. Dad knew how much I loved basketball, so he went to K-mart and purchased the least expensive sneakers that he could find.

My Dad took me every Sunday to play basketball. My dad played full court basketball as best he could; it was not a pretty sight! Again, he filled a Gap, so I could enjoy playing basketball. I can still hear the loud slapping sound of those cheap K-mart sneakers making contact on that wooden gymnasium floor.

There was one time when my Dad was going up for a rebound and a tall, much larger person was also trying to get the rebound. This person came crashing down on Gordon and time stopped for a moment. The entire weight of this large person came crashing down on top of my Dad. You could of heard a pin drop in that Gym. My Dad twisted his ankle that night, everyone who witnessed that massive collision was very thankful that his injury was not worse. Still Gordon limped to work at Carrier for the majority of that week. But that next Sunday night he took me so I could continue to play basketball. Even though Dad mostly watched the last couple of Sunday nights, I realized he was filling a gap so I could enjoy the sport I loved dearly.

My Dad loved the Boston Red Sox and Syracuse Basketball. Most of the Bruce Family bleeds red and orange and follow sports with a passion. Except my brother Brian who still follows those Kansas City Royals.

In my Little League Years I idolized Carl Yastrzemski. I would stand at the plate holding the bat way up in the air and pretend to be Carl. I struck out more often than got a hit, but I looked good. My Dad sometimes umpired these Little League games, even calling balls and strikes behind the plate. Again, there?s Dad filling a Gap!

In the summer of 1973, The family went to Boston and a Red Sox Game at Fenway Park. I do not remember the final score, or who the Red Sox played that day. I just remember the feeling of being in a magical place. Coincidently, just 4 weeks ago my family went to Boston and also went to a Red Sox Game. Watching that game last month I frequently looked at my 14-year-old son, Matthew. His eyes were full of magic and wonder. A warm comfortable feeling came over me as I finally realized how my Dad probably felt on that summer day in 1973.

About 5 years ago I asked my Dad, why he loved the Boston Red Sox. I expected to hear an answer like; he enjoyed watching Ted Williams or some other famous player. He calmly said, we love the Red Sox, because you love the Red Sox. Wow! I had to take a step back for a moment. But, why should that answer surprise me?

Gordon Bruce was a simple, quiet man who would do anything for his family. He would spend his hard earned money on everyone else, but rarely himself. He constantly filled a Gap at Church, and in the Community. His straight and narrow ways on how he conducted his life have given me the strength to always try to be a better person even through life?s adversities. In honor of my Dad, today I am wearing a pair of his shoes that are at least 30 years old, if not more. The shoes feel tight yet comfortable. Now those terms describe My Dad!

I would like to leave you with a comforting image that has helped me get through this.

On Monday my Dad was waiting in line at the Pearly Gates at the Entrance to Heaven. God said, Gordon we have been waiting for you. Could you help us in Dept 16 A?

Now I have no idea how Heaven is organized, but I know whatever Gap Heaven had has just been filled by the Spirit of Gordon Bruce.



Brian?s Eulogy To Dad - Given on 08/10/07

?TO MAKE A LONG STORY - SHORT?
==============================
That always got a sly grin from dad and the rest of my family. You see ? I do take a long time telling a story. Dad was just the same ? I got that from him. Steve was the ?ham? and loved to entertain. He also shared his love of history. Jeff was blessed with his quiet reserved manner, and his gift of poetry. Dad was the total package.

Now back to that story telling. See ?Dad & I felt it VERY important to explain ? every minUte detail. We cherished every little aspect of that story, that time of our lives. It was the attention to detail that set us apart from the others. Museum and sports ?hall of fame? tours were a constant battle with me to catch up with the others. You see ? I HAD TO read every ?last? line at each exhibit. Dad never complained ? he understood.

Dad was very meticulous in everything he did. He enjoyed his endless handy-man tasks around the house, and that perfect lawn cut. Me too. His workbench was a special place, piled with his well-cared-for tools; it?s where he taught me his craft. But it was our painting skills where we really excelled. The slow and deliberate brush strokes took forever, but the results were worth every minute. Recently, we painted together the long stretch of fence around our pool. We enjoyed every day.

Dad was also an energy conservationist ? long before it was politically correct. He turned off room lights, or the running water faucets that HE deemed unnecessary. And NO ONE else touched the house thermostat, or loaded the dish washer ? those were reserved for dad.

Dad enjoyed the simple things in life. Meat & potatoes kind of guy, nothing fancy, and no seafood. I will always remember his response to a gift of ties many years ago. ?What I am going to do with all these ties? ? he said ?All I need is one. That?s all I can wear at a time.? That was Dad.

My childhood was filled with adventure. Dad ALWAYS had time for his family, and together we enjoyed Boy Scouts, camping on the open-road with our Apache trailer, and trips up to Florida & California. The wooded streams and wild berry fields behind our house provided endless hours of discovery, and our own private sledding hill each winter.

But it was our family?s PASSION for sports which filled all of our lives. Dad provided the masterful instruction of the art of throwing & catching a baseball, that perfect ?set shot? playing basketball with us on the driveway hoop, and each swim stroke that we enjoyed while diving for pennies in our family pool. Each of these I still fully enjoy with my 4 sons, and now provide a special reminder of those times with dad. I will never forget his ?picture perfect? dive into our new swimming pool a few years back and the smile on his face as he rose to the applause of his grandsons.

The Yankee fans amongst us know their challenge will FOREVER be more difficult ? the Red Sox Nation has ?called up? a very special member.

Dad?s early years were filled with endless worship and performances at Atonement Lutheran Church. It?s where Mom and Dad first met. She didn?t like his ?cocky? attitude at first ?but he soon won her over. He was asked by Pastor Joslin if ?He Had the Calling?, so he would not have to enter the military. He answered that ?He Didn?t Think He Was Good Enough?. We always thought he Missed His Calling, he was MORE than good enough.

Dad didn?t demand respect, it was assumed. We looked up to him and revered him. He never yelled or got upset. A firm ?Quit while you?re ahead? was all that was necessary. That was dad?s style. He lived his life with a sense of calm and peace. If any of the grandchildren were fussing ? we?d say ?GIVE THEM TO GRANDPA?. He would gently walk around ? their head on his shoulder ? whispering and patting ? it worked every time.

One final story ? I promise. On the few nights that Mom wasn?t home, probably her golf night, we knew what would be for dinner. It was the only menu choice ? his favorite ? PANCAKES. With plenty of syrup and butter ? we cleaned our plates ? there were NEVER any leftovers.

Each Sunday Monday that tradition continues at our house.
?DAD ? CAN YOU MAKE PANCAKES FOR US?, my 4 sons ask. Their favorite are with chocolate chips. ENJOY.



JEFF?S POEM TO DAD
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Today I have the special chance,
To tell someone I love.
Thank you for everything!
You are a gift from above.

Between footsteps in time,
Our lessons are learned.
Through memories and prayers,
Pages are turned.

It?s with hopes and dreams,
A father?s wish will renew,
Their child?s happiness forever,
All wishes coming true.

Life can be hard,
To embrace and endure,
Through laughter and tears,
Your message rings pure.

The message is clear,
To all that you touched,
A relationship above,
How you can share it in love.

It?s how you live your life,
To give with your heart open,
People will give thanks,
Changing lives uncertain!

So today Dad rest certain,
With a clear shot to my heart,
I am so thankful for your wish,
Your love gave me the start.

With a gentle hand you guide,
Our lives with purpose,
Through our destinies you reside,
Smiling!

Jeff