Surrounded by loved ones, Bruce Engelson passed away on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the age of 69 after a fervent battle with lung cancer.

Bruce will be lovingly remembered by his best friend and wife of 41 years, Lucille, his son, Robert, and his daughter, Amy, in addition to innumerous friends and relatives. Bruce was predeceased by his parents Norman and Blanche Engelson.

Born in New York, Bruce enjoyed hanging out with his best friends on the neighborhood block playing games of basketball, baseball and golf as a standout athlete on Bronx River Road.  As each school year came to a close, Bruce and his family would escape the teeming city to vacation in the idyllic Catskill Mountains.  Those summer days produced the best of memories and the best of friends.  

In pursuit of a meaningful profession, Bruce set out to impact and shape young lives through education. 

For the duration of his 36-year career at Bedford Central School District as a special education and physical education teacher, “Mr. E” preached kindness, compassion, humor, and, of course, a love of the Sinatra classics to his “kids.” He lifted others up and saw in them a future they couldn’t imagine for themselves. For that, he will always be remembered as a larger than life figure who saw great potential in those that needed faith and fortitude the most.

After a successful teaching career, Bruce and Lucille left the snow behind and flew south to find the perfect community to live out their golden years.  In North Carolina, Bruce spent his days on the golf course, finding enjoyment in holes 1-18, no matter his score.  The only thing better than a day on the course, was coming straight home to Lucille, to tell her all about his putting woes and the jokes he told that received the biggest laughs.   

Although Bruce is not here anymore, his legacy of compassion, understanding and humor will live on.  He continues to remind his loved ones just how precious life is and that it is always worth fighting for, no matter the odds.