WILPON, Bruce Martin

Bruce Martin Wilpon, 56, died on September 26, 2014 at home after an extended illness. Bruce was born in Miami, Florida on May 6, 1958 to Faye and Arnold Wilpon. He graduated from Coral Gables High School and NYU with a degree in accounting. After obtaining his CPA, Bruce went on to graduate school at the University of Miami (Florida), obtaining his Masters in Economics and Juris Doctor in 1984.

Bruce was an attorney with the IRS for 30 years, beginning his career in Washington, D.C., followed by New York City and then to Austin in 1994. Bruce was loved and respected by his colleagues. His approach to his work was ethical and innovative. Bruce was a gentleman lawyer and a man of his word.

It was in New York City in the winter of 1989 when Lee and Bruce met. They were inseparable from the very beginning, enjoying a wonderful sense of humor and love of each other's company for 24 years. For Bruce, no aspect of life was more important than the care of his family and friends. Nothing brought him greater happiness than his daughter, Zoe.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Lee Barrett Wilpon and his daughter, Zoe Joy Wilpon. Other survivors include his three brothers, Michael, Steven and Allen and their wives, Debbie, Faith and Maria and five nieces and nephews.

The family will be sitting Shiva at home on Thursday, October 2nd from 3:00 to 6:00.

The family requests that any donations be made in Bruce's name to Congregation Beth Israel - Youth Travel to Israel or Hospice Austin.

Obituary and guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Austin American-Statesman from Sep. 29 to Oct. 1, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce WILPON

Sponsored by Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services - North.

21 Entries

Patricia Beary

August 28, 2023

I was Bruce´s manager for four years at IRS Counsel in New York. Bruce was a really nice guy with a brilliant mind. It was a pleasure working with him. I remember when he and I attended a meeting with IRS Regional Counsel and the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York about a complex case Bruce was handling. A meeting with the US Attorney did not happen often. It was a big deal. True to his style, Bruce calmly delivered an explanation of the issues in the case and the basis for his conclusion. Bruce´s analysis convinced the US Attorney that the IRS position in the case was correct. It was impressive. Over the years, I have wondered whether Bruce´s move to Austin met his expectations. I´m not sure why I decided to search for Bruce on the internet to see how he was doing after almost 30 years. I was shocked and saddened to see his obituary. I extend to Lee my deepest sympathy for her great loss and wish her well.

Faith Wilpon

September 25, 2020

Dear Lee & Zoe, Our sincere condolences and remembering the love, and happiness you both brought to Bruce everyday. Bruce is remembered for his keen intelligence, kindness, great sense of humor and love of his family. Bruce touched eveyone he met and a true Menche, who is very missed. Love, Steven & Faith Stephanie Rose & Mike

Stephanie Wilpon

March 1, 2017

Love you uncle Bruce! Miss you so much <3

Kirby Parsons

November 22, 2016

I think of you often, and will always remember you as an honest, ethical and caring person. While you left much too soon, you left the world a better place.

Stephanie Wilpon

August 25, 2016

Still miss you every day uncle Bruce!

Vinson Richter

October 6, 2014

I've known Bruce since the first grade. We were roommates for nearly four years at the University of Florida. During that time I came to know Bruce as one of the kindest and gentlest people I have ever met. It seems like yesterday that we rode our bikes to the corner drug store and took the bus to the bowling alley. I would marvel that my entire shoe could fit inside his with room to spare. In college Bruce was always game to do anything at any time. Just a great guy; honest and humble. Over the years we lost touch but never our friendship. The world was a better place knowing Bruce was in it. I will miss him dearly. My thoughts are with the entire Wilpon family.

William Roach

October 3, 2014

Bruce you will be greatly missed and long remembered.

Sandy Havlen

October 1, 2014

I've known Bruce since he started working for IRS I can only think of one word to describe him "awesome". We we're co-workers and friends. He'd come down for no reason just sit and talk for a bit, then go back to work. I will miss our chats. He was my go to person no matter the issue. No one will be able to replace him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Vic Dietz

September 30, 2014

My most sincere condolences to the Wilpon family. I had the chance to work with Bruce for several years before my retirement. He will be missed by many colleagues, friends and family.

Stephen Sather

September 29, 2014

Bruce taught me the meaning of the word "mensch." He collected lots of money for the government by working with taxpayers rather than trying to crush them.

September 29, 2014

My sincerest condolences to Bruce's family. I had the priviledge of working with Bruce for many years in Austin, TX at the IRS Fed Building. I appreciated his laid-back but sensible approach to the law. He was always a good sounding board for work, and I will miss him dearly. I sincerely hope his family will know that they are in our thoughts and prayers as they go through this most difficult trial in life. God bless and keep you well. Sharon M. Mehalko, Dover, DE

Randy Mann

September 29, 2014

The two things I'll always remember about Bruce are his sense of humor and how easy going he was - unless you owed money to the IRS and were trying to hide it.

Deborah Delgado

September 29, 2014

Bruce will be remembered for his dedication, professionalism and confidence in addressing challenging legal issues. He handled a large number of cases with aplomb. He was so much more than an excellent attorney, though; we miss his great sense of humor and compassion. He was also a great family man--always thinking of his beloved wife Lee and wonderful daughter Zoe. Our deep felt sympathy to all the family. Deborah Delgado, Austin Counsel Office

Richard Christian

September 29, 2014

Bruce was already a legend in Austin when I met him, being in Dallas I was late in getting the chance to work with him, but he was definitely unique. I only called on him a few times a month and not every month. Still it always impressed me the phone never rang twice before "Bruce Wilpon." His work ethic was like his customer service, just incredible. Yeah, even in North Texas we will miss him.

Scarlett Bush

September 29, 2014

I never had the opportunity to meet Bruce in person but I worked with him many times by phone. He was always very helpful and a great person to work with. He will be greatly missed by all that he touched here. You are both in my prayers.

September 29, 2014

Bruce was a Revenue Officer at heart as he enjoyed hearing of field experiences and how through innovative methods assets were discovered and the truth came through. He was assertive in application and was an asset to the Austin District/Gulf States Area. We laughed and argued like brothers because we were. I'll miss him dearly and would love to be able to even disagree with him once more. J. Marquez

David Davila

September 29, 2014

To the Wilpon Family, my condolence on your loss of a great person. I worked with Bruce while working in the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Bruce was friendly and helpful to a lot of us. I will miss seeing him in the buidling. Bruce will be missed.

JEAN WEST-WILSON

September 29, 2014

Bruce was the best. I owe so much to him and so do most Revenue Officers in South Texas. He had a brilliant mind and a great disposition. Bruce was always available to us, and always happy to help. I cannot tell you in words what Bruce meant to each of us in Collection in all of his territory. I never, ever had to wait on him, because he always made us his priority at work. There will never be another like him. He was my friend and I trusted him because he knew his job like no other. I don't know what is going to be of us now that he is gone, and if the next counsel is half as good and half as helpful as Bruce was, we'd be sitting pretty then. Lee and Zoe, I'm sure you know this, but here it is again: Bruce was the BEST! I am so, so, so sorry for your loss, and ours. The loss of Bruce the friend, the confidant, the brilliant mind and joyfull disposition, will forever be missed.

Debbie Bryant

September 29, 2014

Bruce will be sadly missed by Austin Insolvency; he was a wonderful man to work with, and always very helpful. I will miss seeing his shaggy hair and smile, he was definitely one of a kind. Thoughts and prayers are with Bruce's family.

R. D. Hood

September 29, 2014

Bruce will be sorely missed. Bruce's laugh was contagious. He loved his beautiful daughter and wife so very much, there were his light!!! Bruce was a kind hearted and easy going man, who shared his kindness with his co-workers all the time. I wish there were more people in the world like him. Bruce, you've got your work cut out for you up there in heaven……. R. D. Hood!

Edda Aponte

September 29, 2014

My deepest condolences to the entire family. It was a great pleasure working with Bruce and he will be greatly missed.

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