THOMAS M BRUCE

January 30, 1951 - November 14, 2017

U.S. Veteran

 

A memorial service to celebrate his life is planned for 1 p.m. on November 25, 2017, at Hope Community Fellowship, located at 2929 Cheney Hwy in Titusville, Florida, 32780. A second service is planned for December 2, 2017, at Living Word Assembly of God, located at 176 East Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, 04426.

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Rev. Thomas M. Bruce, 66, transitioned from this life to his eternal home peacefully on November 14, 2017. He was born on January 30, 1951, to Tommy Gene and Gertrude Marie-Claire (Beaulieu) Bruce in Fall River, Massachusetts. He served in the U.S. Army immediately after graduating from B.M.C. Durfee High School during the Vietnam era. The years following his service tenure would be best described as tumultuous, as he fell into the clutches of drug and alcohol addiction and all that lifestyle brings with it. He spent years in and out of rehabilitation facilities and even served time in prison. In 1989, his life took a drastic turn when he committed his life to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He walked away from the lifestyle that had kept him down and out, living on the streets and going nowhere, and was empowered by God never to return to that life of debauchery. He felt God’s call into ministry, and after marrying his wife, Rhonda (Jennings), in 1990, they moved to Maine to study at Faith School of Theology in Charleston, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theological Studies. Subsequently, he became Pastor at Living Word Assembly of God in Dover Foxcroft, Maine, a position he remained at for more than 20 years. During his tenure, he established Living Word Community Food Cupboard. Over the years, this community service provided food and clothing to thousands of families in Piscataquis County. Pastor Tom became integrated as a friend and mentor into the families of all those who used the services of the Food Cupboard and those who attended his church. He had a huge impact on the area, and was well-known and loved throughout the community. While in Maine, he and Rhonda raised their six children. He was a very loving father and devout family man. He loved not only his own children, but all those who grew up in the church. He enjoyed attending his kid’s sporting events, and spending time outdoors with his family camping, fishing, and hiking the Appalachian Trail. He was also an avid Patriots fan. He received a critical health diagnosis in 2014, which led to the difficult decision to close the Food Cupboard and resign from the church, a process completed in 2015. He relocated to Titusville, Florida, where he thoroughly enjoyed all the region had to offer. Because he was such a lover of nature, he spent as much time as he could exploring the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. He loved viewing the alligators and birds. He spent a lot of time enjoying the beach at the Canaveral National Seashore, visiting Disney Parks, and snorkeling and tubing at several of Florida’s natural springs. Recently, he was able to fulfill his desire to find shark teeth at Venice Beach and ride an airboat through the Everglades. He will be remembered fondly and missed tremendously by all those who knew and loved him. He is predeceased by both his parents and his first wife, Virginia (Duclos). He is survived by his wife, Rhonda, and their six children, Jeffrey Sontag, Christine Jennings, Nicole Hoad, Jordyn Dellaire, Dylan Bruce, and Corbyn Bruce. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Skyler Jennings, Jayden Ferrier, Ashton Hoad, and Scarlett Hoad, and two siblings, Madelaine Bruce and Alan Bruce, and one nephew, Derrick Bruce.

 

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