Robert Bruce White

WHITE, Robert Bruce On November 21, 2008. Surrounded by his dear family and by friends. Beloved husband of Barbara. Loving father to Molly, Malcolm and Robert, slipped peacefully from this life to the next on November 21, 2008. Song, love and prayers eased his journey. Always a vibrant and generous soul, he shared his grace, irreverence, humor, and vitality with everyone he encountered. After graduating from the University of Illinois, Bruce joined the Peace Corps, working as a civil engineer in Peru. He then received his Master's in Landscape Architect at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Bruce devoted the first portion of his career to the public sector. Bruce then worked in Real Estate development and management, until his death. Many will recall his years as the proprietor of the Dock Square Coffee And Tea House in Rockport, where his wonderful soups and fabulous coffee were the stuff of legend. He loved opening his home to parties. Each New Year's Day, after a brisk dip in the ocean on Front Beach at high noon, Bruce, Barbara and Molly welcomed the year with friends, food, love and lots of dancing and fabulous music especially jazz. Bruce was a gifted gardener, and as one of his legacies, he leaves his beautiful gardens, which he built stone by stone with his own hands. He was profoundly grateful to have made his home on Cape Ann, where he could fish for hours, sleep in the summer sun and walk with Barbara and his dog on the beach. Bruce was a member of ECCO for the last 4 years. He helped form the first single father's group on Cape Ann, Mr. Mom. These last months, Bruce fought valiantly against cancer and the challenges that followed. His heart and spirit were unrelenting through his many battles. In addition to his cherished family, he leaves two sisters, Barbara of Texas, and Susan of California, a granddaughter, Samantha, and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth of Seattle, a sister and brother-in-law, Fern and Joe of Gloucester, many nieces and nephews and countless friends. Services were held Sunday, November 23 at the Temple Ahvat Achim in Gloucester. A memorial fund has been established for Bruce: The Bruce White Memorial Family Fund, c/o Rockport National Bank, P.O. Box 90, Rockport, MA 01966.