ROCKLAND – Bruce James Kinney, a resident of Highlands, Topsham, passed away as the result of a fall Nov. 24, 2011, with family at his side. Bruce was born July 29, 1918, in Brookton, the eighth of 10 children to Frank and Amby (Mahar) Kinney.
He graduated from Ricker Classical Institute, Houlton, attended University of Maine at Presque Isle, and received his master’s degree in education from the University of Maine, Orono. Bruce taught school in Ashland, Princeton and Carroll, prior to enlisting in the Army Air Force, where he was a gunnery instructor in the Pacific. He particularly enjoyed the Japanese people he met while stationed in post-war Japan. Returning to Maine in 1947, Bruce taught in South Paris before being hired as superintendent of schools in Dixfield, the youngest in the state at that time. He served in that capacity for five years before being named superintendent of schools for Rockland, Rockport and Matinicus in 1954.
During his 25-year tenure, he oversaw the formation of SAD No. 5 and construction of a new regional high school. After his retirement from SAD No. 5, Bruce spent nine years as state director of Migrant Education, a position which allowed him to connect more closely with students. Bruce was involved in numerous community activities. He was a long-time member of Rockland Rotary Club and was elected president in 1960. Like so many Rockland area residents, he volunteered at the Lobster Festival and was once the parade grand marshal. He served on Rockland City Council including a year as mayor, 1981-1982. As a visitor at Methodist Center, he helped establish Coastal Trans, Inc. This, in turn, prompted Bruce to volunteer with AARP as a tax preparation aide, an ombudsman at Seven Tree Manor, the legislative advocacy committee chairperson and a driver safety training instructor. He commanded instant attention when his students learned he was 85! In 2007, he received the prestigious Maine AARP Andrus Award for his volunteer leadership. Bruce returned to the classroom several years ago as a volunteer in the kindergarten class taught by his daughter, Jo, at South End School, Rockland. He was honored for his volunteer work by his beloved Knox County Retired Teachers Association in 2009. Bruce married Alice Smith, in Machias, Oct. 1, 1948. They have five children and 10 grandchildren. Bruce and Alice spent 15 winters traveling in their motor home covering the 48 states in the lower USA. Summers were spent at camp on Chickawaukee Lake in Rockport, where they hosted many family gatherings. In addition to their vacations in Hawaii, Alaska, Canada and the Caribbean, Bruce and Alice enjoyed family vacations at Disney World and European river cruises on the Rhine, Rhone, Danube and Seine.Bruce is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alice; five children, Carol and Stephen Harris of Topsham, Susan Kinney and Steven Boileau of Mansfield, Mass., Kathleen and Kip Cleaver of Acton, Mass., Jo and Loy Linscott III of Rockland, and David and Michelle (Brown) Kinney of Lincolnville Center; 10 grandchildren brought him great joy, Elizabeth Harris and Kelly Hoffman, of Portland, Jennifer Harris of Arlington, Va., Max Boileau Kinney of Mansfield, Mass., Jana Richardson of Washington, D.C., Kyle Richardson of Seattle, Wash., Bruce and Sara Cleaver of Lexington, Mass., Danielle Linscott of Rockland, and Isabella and Maren Kinney of Lincolnville Center. He also leaves a sister, Margaret Watts of Conowingo, Md. Among his many nephews and nieces is Donald Crandlemire who, with his wife, Marilyn, was a neighbor at Highlands. Bruce was predeceased by his brothers, Max, Robert and Lloyd Kinney; and sisters, Irene Walls, Nina Wood, Lily Crandlemire, Gladys Hall and Jean Riley.
A private celebration of life will be held. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Bruce J. Kinney Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 164, Lincolnville Center, ME 04850-0164. Arrangements are under the care of Kincer Funeral Home, 130 Pleasant St., Richmond.