SOUTH PORTLAND – Charles Theodore “Bud” Bruce, 90, died June 8, 2013, at the Cedars, Portland. He was born Dec. 14, 1922, in Bangor, son of Harold and Irene (Pond) Bruce.
Bud graduated from Hampden Academy, class of 1941. He attended the University of Maine for one year before he joined the U.S. Marine Corp. He proudly served his country during World War II. Bud was wounded in combat on Iwo Jima and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. When he returned to Maine he began classes at Gorham State Teachers College, receiving his degree in 1952. He began his teaching career at Bangor High School for three years. After Bangor, he taught in Dedham, Mass., for two years and then taught at Wilton Academy for four years. Finally, Bud took a position as an industrial arts teacher at South Portland High School and later became the director of vocational education. He served on its faculty from 1961 until his retirement in 1983. Bud also served for 28 years as an Army Reservist, retiring at the rank of Major. Bud married the love of his life, Mary Alice Theriault, June 17, 1946, in Bangor, and together they raised seven children. He was a communicant of Holy Cross Church, and a member of its choir for many years. In retirement, Bud enjoyed being a handyman, one who could fix anything, and had many clients in the greater Portland area. He and Alice enjoyed camping in their RV, organizing and attending family reunions and sharing picnics on the shore. Bud was devoted to his family and loved nothing more than spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bud was predeceased by his parents; son, Charles P. Bruce II; and two sisters, Frances Madeline Turrmel and Beatrice May Tibbetts. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Alice; two daughters, Jill E. Gorham and husband, Richard, of Westbrook and Mary I. Bruce of South Portland; four sons, David M. Bruce and wife, Pat, of Windham, Peter J. Bruce of South Portland, Robert H. Bruce and wife, Lynda, of South Portland, and William E. Bruce and wife, Helen Scalia, of Portland; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Florence Christine Gorum of Shreveport, La.; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staffs of Birchwoods, the Cedars and Hospice of Southern Maine for their compassionate and loving care. Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 14, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at 8:15 am Saturday, at the Chapel, with a 9 a.m. Mass of Christian burial afterward at Holy Cross Church, the corner of Broadway and Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial with military honors will be afterward at Old Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 1 Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. Notes of condolences may be left at www.ctcrawford.com.
Charles Theodore ‘Bud’ Bruce
