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James R. Bruce

Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Thursday, August 13th at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) in St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., WINTHROP, for James R. Bruce, who died unexpectedly on Friday August 7th at Boston’s Mass General Hospital, he was 83 years. Interment will follow in Winthrop Cemetery (Cross St. Section), Winthrop. In view of the ongoing pandemic, Visiting Hours are respectfully omitted. Attendees must wear masks & maintain social distancing.

Born on July 13, 1937 in Chelsea, he lived in Revere his early years until marrying and moving to Winthrop in 1962. He attended Revere schools was a member of the Class of 1955 of Revere High School and in October of 1955, he joined the Marines during the Korean Conflict and served until October of 1958. He was a 25-year member of the Massachusetts State Police acquiring the rank of Sergeant. He retired in 1992. He was a member of the Retired Association of Metropolitan Police and also a member of the Winthrop Elks. In 1974, he became the proprietor and operation of Bill Ash’s Lounge on Revere Beach until the time of his death.

He is the beloved husband of the late Carol M. (Pumphret) Bruce. Cherished father of Sgt. James R. Bruce, Jr. of the MA State Police & his wife Kathleen Marley-Bruce of Lynnfield, Christine M. Bruce, Robert A. Bruce & Jennifer E. Bruce-Capone & her husband Gary, all of Winthrop. Adoring grandfather to Carol A. Bruce of Winthrop, James R. Bruce, III & John E. “Jack” Bruce, both of Lynnfield & Francesca N. Capone & Hannah C. Capone, both of Winthrop. Devoted brother of Eleanor “Sissy” Kelley & her late husband Robert N. Kelley, Barbara A. Bruce-Meade & her late husband Franklin D. “Frank” Meade of the US Navy & the US Marine Corps., all of Revere, Marilyn A. “Mal” Symmes of Winthrop & Revere & the late Walter M. Bruce. He is also lovingly survived by the Pumphret family & many nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews.

Services

Funeral Mass

Thursday, August 13th at 12:00 p.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop

*Attendees must wear masks & maintain social distancing.*

Interment

Winthrop Cemetery (Cross St. Section), Winthrop

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

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15 Messages Send your condolences
  1. mitch novin
    Aug 15 2020

    jimmy was a great guy and his passing is the end of an era in revere. rest in peace jimmy

  2. Candy Leach Pioppi
    Aug 12 2020

    Prayers to the Bruce Family, Jim was an accomplished individual in life and a man devoted to his family, friends and his faith. My husband and I had the pleasure of seeing Jim at mass every Sunday. He always made sure to say hello and shared his uncanny, unique sense of humor with us. It will not be the same without seeing Jim in church every Sunday, however we find peace that he will be reunited with his beautiful wife. Rest In Peace, our dear friend❤️They don’t make them like you any more. Candy Leach Pioppi and Frank Pioppi and family

  3. Jimmy Cullinane
    Aug 11 2020

    I was shocked to learn of Jimmy’s passing, after just talking to him a couple of weeks ago, the day after his birthday. I was fortunate to have worked with & known him all these years. He was one of a kind! We shared a lot of laughs & precious memories. I shall miss him.
    May he Rest In Peace.

  4. Tony Fucillo
    Aug 11 2020

    James was a great man a great man.Our deepest of sympathies to the Bruce family our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.The Fucillo family

  5. Judy Driscoll
    Aug 11 2020

    Our deepest condolences to the family from some of the MDC/DCR employees that new Jimmy very well. He was a Great guy. Always so friendly. From seeing him on the job to visiting him at Bill Ash’s he was always there for others. I will never forget those many times when there were cars in the water and we had to get the equipment to pull them out and Jimmy would have his Scuba team there to make sure everyone was safe. He will be missed by many but always in our hearts.

  6. Grant Epler
    Aug 11 2020

    My condolences to Jim’s family and friends.

    I was a pal of Jim, along with Mike Doherty, and Don Cottrell in the late fifties at the beach. Many fond memories and regrets of having lost contact. Jim went astray back then ( Marine Corps ), Mike and I went Air Force. But I remember Jim as a solid guy.

    Grant Epler, Lynnfield

  7. Warren Kirby
    Aug 10 2020

    Jim, Christine, Robert, Jennifer,

    My deepest condolences on the passing of your Dad. He was always a pleasure to talk to when I saw him.

    Warren Kirby

  8. Beverly Davis
    Aug 10 2020

    So very sorry, Jim was a terrific man . May her Rest In Peace

  9. Dan White
    Aug 9 2020

    So sorry for your loss. Stay strong.

    Dan White

  10. john toste
    Aug 9 2020

    To my dearest friend how you will be missed. The thought of you being in god’s land with your love is easing my pain but the thought of being able to laugh and laugh without you on weekends at the “ashcan” is the toughest thing we will have to endure . May god keep you close to his heart as you will always be close to mine. Forever your friend, John Toste

  11. Retired Association of Metropolitan Police
    Aug 9 2020

    On behalf of the Retired Association of Metropolitan Police, please accept our most heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends during this time of sadness.

  12. Lorraine Butler
    Aug 9 2020

    I don’t know you I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing he is Now resting in peace may god be with you and your family you are all In my prays always remember the good times you had with him

  13. Lori Brogna
    Aug 8 2020

    I am so heart broken!! I have known Mr. Bruce (as I always called him) since I was a little girl. May you Rest In Peace with Carol!! You will be missed!!

    Lori Brogna.

  14. Fred sannella
    Aug 8 2020

    Sissy,please accept my late wife Graces and my condolences , as well as the entire Hill family on the loss of your beloved brother Jimmy Fred Sannella

  15. Armand Ouellette
    Aug 8 2020

    OMG…… Soooo blown away by this news. I was convinced Jimmy would live forever. He was my instructor on the motor cycles as well as the dive team. I considered he and Carol my friends for over 40 yrs.I looked foreward to the annual police reunion we had at the Irish American Club where he and I would laugh ’till our sides hurt over dumb things we did and experienced over the many years.

    This cost me a dear dear friend but at least Carol will have the love of her life back again.

    Semper Fi my brother…stand down….I have the watch.

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To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.
On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.
Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.
Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.
Thank you for your friendship and continued support.
God bless you all.
Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.

To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.

On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.

Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.

Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support.

God bless you all.

Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.