Bruce W. Huntington, Sr. passed away peacefully in Orlando, FL on June 4, 2023 at age 89. He was born on Quaker Street in Barker, NY on January 15, 1934 at the home of his parents Florence (Jesson) and Leslie Albert Huntington. Bruce was a Class of 1952 graduate of Barker Central School. He also graduated in 1955 from the State University of NY Agricultural & Technical Institute, Alfred, NY.
Bruce took up residence in Medina, NY, in 1959, where he was involved in the Jaycees, worked as an adjuster for the Retail Credit Insurance Company, tended bar at the Apple Grove Inn and the Sacred Heart Club, and also worked for Sec Tel phone company. He moved to Ft. Myers, FL in 1985 where he briefly managed a Salvation Army Thrift Store before becoming (lead) groundskeeper at Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club. He retired to Winter Garden, FL in 2013 to be closer to family and thoroughly enjoyed more time with his expanding gaggle of grand and great-grandchildren. Bruce was an avid Buffalo Bills fan from the team’s inception. He liked to play and watch golf, and was an avid reader and history buff with a special interest in World War II.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother L. Mark (Phyllis) Huntington, son Bruce W. Huntington, Jr, granddaughter Abigail Andrews, and former spouse Fay (Helbling) Huntington. He is survived by his daughters, Leslie A.(Theodore) Brelsford of Boston, NY, Karen Nice of Winter Garden, FL, and Jill (Paul) Andrews of St. Simons Island, GA, daughter-in-law Debbie (Bruce) Huntington of Cape Coral, FL, step-daughter Wende Nicosia of Middleport, NY, niece Lori (Steve Mitchell) Huntington, nephew Scott (Brenda) Huntington both of Lockport, NY, and former spouse and friend Mary Lou (Doug) Rue of Medina. Lovingly called “Grandpa Cigar”, “GrandHappy” and “Great-Grandpa” he will be especially missed by grandchildren: William (Jennifer) Nice, Katrina (Ekene) Ileka, Kiel (Elli) Nice, Erik Danielson, Olivia Danielson, Matthew & Charlie Andrews, and six great grandchildren: Billy Nice, Kene, Amara, & Ejikeme Ileka, Karys and Jesson Nice as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Arrangements for a Celebration of Life are tentatively planned for Saturday, October 7 at Bicentennial Park (Huntington Beach), Barker, NY. Details to be announced at a later date. Interment will be in Millville Cemetery, West Shelby, NY.
Karen Smith says
Condolences from Doug & Karen & family.