GUILDERLAND — James “Jim” Bruce was a tireless worker, providing for his family, and was also active in community affairs, helping to found the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce and serving as its first president.

Born on Sept. 6, 1936, he was the son of Ada and James Bruce. He died on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. He was 86.

“He graduated from Van Rensselaer High School in 1954, met Carol, started a family in 1957,” his family wrote in a tribute, “and spent the next 60 years working to provide for Carol and his children.

“He worked tirelessly, endlessly, sometimes at more than one job, leaving his day work at Bear-Manning, Norton Corporation, General Electric, or Nashua Corporation to go on to another job until 10 at night, when he would return home, sleep, and start the whole thing again the next day.

“He was in such demand for his part-time work that he started his own business, operating James Bruce Pumps and WellPoints until Carol’s years of pleading finally paid off and he retired from the business. Turns out her pleading only worked to a point, because he immediately signed on for a job as a courier for LabCorp, which he continued to do until retiring to care for Carol in 2015.

“Apparently working 60-hour weeks and raising four children left him with too much time on his hands, so Jim became active in local politics. He ran for town council, helped to found the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce, became the chamber’s first president, and was active in the Guilderland GOP until in his words, he ‘didn’t recognize his own party any more.’

“He was a news junkie, loved lively political discussion, and held his strong opinions and passionate belief in justice and democracy throughout his life. Even in his final days, he could still muster outrage at current events, though he never lost his capacity for diplomacy and compassion.

“But Jim was first and foremost a family man. He said that his children were the jewels in his crown, and he held each of their triumphs and accomplishments close to his heart. As his family grew to include his daughter- and sons-in-law, so did his pride and delight — and his greatest joy came with the arrival of his three grandchildren.

“Nothing could keep Jim and Carol from their basketball games, dance recitals, and graduations. Jim held many titles and positions in his life, but this was the one he was born to do. He loved being ‘Papa.’

“Jim and Carol spent 54 years in a small house on the outskirts of the village, and ‘Weaver Road’ became synonymous with home. Not just for his immediate family, but for countless friends, relatives, and anyone Jim brought into his circle.

“He loved people, loved a gathering, and loved a long chat over a bottomless cup of coffee. The coffee pot on Weaver Road was always on, and everyone was welcome. Jim remained at the house after Carol passed in 2015, only leaving his beloved Weaver Road to live at Kingsway Manor in 2021.

“Jim loved music, Masterpiece Theater, every dog he ever met (especially Jackson), leaf-peeping in autumn, tinkering in his workshop, a good home-cooked meal (especially Heidi’s), Christmas, the view from Thacher Park overlook, a cup of coffee and a hard roll, the Wednesday Gathering of Friends and spending time with his family.

“His face lit up in the company of his children and grandchildren until the day he decided that it was time to join Carol.”

His family concluded the tribute with this poem by Grady Emory Poulard:

The measure of a man is not determined

By his show of outward strength

Or the volume of his voice

Or the thunder of his actions

Or of his intellect or academic abilities
 

It is seen rather in terms of the love that he has

For his family and for everyone

The strength of his commitments

The genuineness of his friendships

The sincerity of his purpose

The quiet courage of his convictions
 

The fun, laughter,

joy and happiness he gives to his

family and to others
 

His love of life

His patience and his honesty

And his contentment with what he has
 

****

James Bruce leaves behind a loving and grateful family: his son, David Bruce and daughter-in-law Heidi Bruce, grandchildren Devon and Amanda Bruce; his daughter Teri Bruce and son-in-law Ned Mead; his daughter Valerie Bruce Judd and her husband, James Judd, granddaughter Carissa Judd; and his daughter Amy Bruce.

His parents, Ada and James Bruce, died before him, as did his brothers, Gary and Leroy, and his sisters, Carolyn and Patricia.

His family would like to acknowledge Albany Medical Center and the staff of C8, D4N, MICU and E5, as well as the extraordinary kindness and care shown by the staff of Kingsway Manor.

A memorial service will be held at Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont on Sunday, April 16, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or to Community Hospice at hospice.org.