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Bruce George Longstreet
AGE: 58 • formerly of Elizabeth and Roselle
Bruce George Longstreet, 58, of Booneville, Calif., passed away at home on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, after a brief battle with cancer. Born on March 18, 1954 in Elizabeth, NJ, he moved to Roselle in 1968 and resided in Booneville, Calif. for the past 13 years. He was a 1972 graduate of Abraham Clark High School, Roselle, and a graduate of Upsala College. While at Upsala, he was manager of the school's radio station - WFMU. He was currently an EMT and Manager of the Booneville Ambulance Squad. He also worked part-time at a local winery. He was very active in Boy Scout Troop 17 in Elizabeth and earned the award of Eagle Scout.
He was predeceased by his father, William D. Longstreet Jr., in 1995. He is survived by his mother, Harriet Longstreet of Lakewood, NJ; his brother, William Longstreet and his wife, Marjorie of Matthews, NC; his sister, Ann HebbeArdler and her husband Karl of Roselle Park; his sister, Nancy Longstreet Reinhard of Brick, NJ; five nieces and nephews; and nine great-nieces and nephews.
Cremation will be private in Booneville. A memorial service in New Jersey will be forthcoming. Kindly consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in his name.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Will always remember seeing you in San Rafael, Berkeley and in boonville. We miss you.
Sherri and Joel
September 17, 2021
today is Willie Mays' birthday...another memory of Bruce. He & I would "discuss" (argue) who was better; Mantle or Mays, on our walks to Elmora School 12. I was, and still am, a Giants fan & he actually liked the Yankees back then! When he moved to Ca he eventually became a Giants fan & we went to a game. If he were still with us, I'd call him: "Say Hey, its Willie's Bday"! I'm sure he's got a great seat in Heaven. Miss you buddy.
Matt Bistis
May 7, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Bruce's family and dear friends. Thankful that our Class of '72 were able to gather a few years back and celebrate along with Bruce. May he rest in peace.
Virginia Dittmann Daly
October 3, 2012
so sorry to hear about bruces passing
He was a truly nice guy. Gary Balin
October 2, 2012
My condolences to the longstreet family.
i will always remember your brilliant performance in Arsenic and Old Lace.
Albert Ford ( Mortimer)
Albert Ford
October 1, 2012
I send my utmost sympathy to the bereaved family. Bruce and I reconnected at our class reunion a few years ago. He jokingly called me Rev. Harper because of my part in Arsenic & Old Lace. We weren't bosom buddies or anything back in high school... he was just a great guy who the whole class liked. I really got to know him better during our online exchanges the past few years. He had a special way with words and helped me resolve a somewhat delicate issue before his illness. Naturally, when I heard about his illness, I wanted to reciprocate. However, because of the way Bruce handled himself, he always inspired me more than I believe I ever inspired him. Bruce is in a better state of being now. So I simply pray that God will comfort all of us who will miss his physical presence.
Gregory Stamper
September 25, 2012
Our deepest sympathy to Bruce's family. Glad we got to see Bruce at the last reunion. As we say in the Navy; "Fair winds and following seas". Until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of His hand. ACHS Class of 1972
Bill & Debbie McNulty
September 25, 2012
Bruce, we will miss your kind smile and laughter and the warmth you brought to so many people's lives... Love Francois, Lisa and Beaumont...
September 24, 2012
..say the da secert woid;Arsnic & Old Lace. You classed up Roselle.. thanks for the laughs and memories..
darb
September 23, 2012
A loyal, caring friend with a great sense of humor. A talented poet. This summer when we spoke, as often as not, his first question was about my mother, who had health issues. How typical of Bruce.
Gene Curry
September 23, 2012
As good friends of Joe Holliday, we were honored to meet Bruce on several occasions. Bruce stayed with us this summer when we all attended the play 'Animal Crackers' here in Ashland OR. Bruce was a delightful and thoughtful guest, and we enjoyed his company very much. We offer our condolences to Bruce's family and wish him Godspeed.
Beth and Sam Murphy
September 23, 2012
Our hearts go out to your family and friends, whom we are keeping in our thoughts and prayers.
Rest in peace, Bruce.
Jeanine & Alan Munger
September 23, 2012
Since we were the only siblings from our family to have gone to the same high school, you were a tough act to follow. Everyone expected so much from me because you were like a "legend". God Bless Mrs. Bradley for having the patience with ME . .. because I was not YOU. Remember the time you were a substitute in one of my classes and I walked in and said "I am NOT calling you Mr. Longstreet and walked out" . . that would have been too wierd . . . also glad you became an EMT because when I was 7 and you were home babysitting me and I wasn't feeling too good you kept telling mom on the phone that I was fine . . . appendix out (lol) . . . . you and I were also the only siblings to live home together . . a lot of good times . . . . love and miss you . . . your little sister . .
September 23, 2012
I remember Bruce's delightful wit. He could brighten up an otherwise dreary day at ACHS. A very sad loss.
Diana Brody
September 22, 2012
Joel and I had a lovely lunch with Bruce in the very, very small but delightful village, Boonville, in May. He was funny, perceptive and so very kind and extremely nice. We will miss him. Joel and Sherri Ginsberg
September 22, 2012
Bruce and I were Abraham Clark classmates. My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family. He is in a much better place now. Rest in peace my good friend. Until we meet again.
Steve Mularz
September 22, 2012
ACHS class of 1972 was never "normal" having a 37th class reunion in 2009, which is the last time I saw Bruce. His infectious smile was as contagious as ever, and his wit as sharp. I can hear him warn... "Don't let 'em bamboozle ya, son" Bruce, you live now in that realm where angels of light reside, where harmony and true beauty and serenity abide. And though we cannot share a hug, a smile or tender touch, you will always hold a special place in the hearts of all YOU touched! God speed, dear friend!
Cindy Wolf Funk
September 22, 2012
Love you Bruce.
Laura Colatrella
September 22, 2012
Bruce and I weren't close friends in high school, but our class reunion three years ago changed that. I wish I had known him better in school because I feel like I missed out on something very special all those years.
Along with our entire high school class, I am grieving for the loss of our dear friend. I know that one day we will meet again, and it will be a reunion like no other.
Please accept my hearfelt condolences and my sincere prayers.
Nancy Soltys Banta (ACHS Class of 1972)
Nancy Banta
September 22, 2012
Bruce was a dear friend, one of the best friends anyone could ever be lucky enough to have. He moved into Roselle, New Jersey, my hometown, in our freshman year of high school. We became friends quickly, and for life. We were the “double-play combination” on the JV baseball team, he at second base and I at shortstop (mind you, I don't remember actually ever “turning” a double-play, but it was always possible in theory). We were editors of the high school newspaper with our friends Joel and Shirley. We went to college together, roomed together, worked at the college radio station – WFMU – together. Bruce found his calling there, launching a career in public radio that eventually took him to Boonville, California, a place that became his true home in later years, and where his ashes will be spread this October, fittingly.
We had more in common – our love of Vermont took me there first, where Joan and I married and our daughters Leigh and Faire were born, and Bruce followed shortly thereafter. We shared a love of all things Marx Brothers. Bruce had many of Groucho Marx's lines memorized, and read everything he could get his hands on about the zany trio. When he was cast as the crazy uncle who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt in Arsenic and Old Lace, our senior play, he played it, brilliantly, as Groucho. (I was in the play as well, but I and my fellow less-talented classmates were relegated to the role of “Dead Men,” only seen during the curtain call).) One of the highlights of our early adulthood was seeing Groucho live in concert, at Carnegie Hall, with our friend Debbie. The last time I saw Bruce – this past Memorial Day weekend – it was to reunite in Ashland, Oregon to see a new production of a Marx Brothers vehicle, “Animal Crackers”. My wife Marye and I enjoyed it thoroughly, while Bruce uttered his typical measured assessment, “Not Bad.”
I can't say I knew Bruce particularly well. He was a very private person, he kept his own counsel. Like a lot of men, I suppose, we rarely talked about our feelings, or about the things that really mattered in our lives. Our lives diverged when I moved to Oregon from Vermont, although he came west as well, to California. I was so happy to see him find a home, a place where he felt connected and valued in the community. I know he experienced tragedy there in Boonville, when someone he loved died in a car crash. I wonder if that is one of the reasons he became an EMT in recent years.
I was hoping to see Bruce one more time, to tell him how much I loved him, how much his friendship meant to me, but it was not to be. He slipped away in his sleep earlier this week, painlessly, peacefully, with a friend at his side. Bruce, you old baseball fan – forgive me, because I know you will hate this metaphor – you managed to slide into home safely. I'll miss you a lot, my dear friend.
Joe Holliday
September 22, 2012
Joe Holliday
September 22, 2012
Bruce, We know you are at peace and in the Grace of God, smiling on all of us and preparing new jokes for when we all meet again. I am sure you are still wearing that great tophat! Although your family and all of us grieve and will miss you, we find solace in knowing you are now safe forever and at peace. God Bless. Ela and Chris Ostromecki
Ela and Chris Ostromecki
September 22, 2012
My wife and my sympathy to Bruce's Family. We also join with our other A.C.H.S alumni in their sorrow.
Charles Cascone
September 22, 2012
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