Dr. Bruce L. Churchill

Dr. Bruce L. Churchill
CUMBERLAND FORESIDE -- Bruce Lindley Churchill passed peacefully from this life into the next on July 30, 2012, with his loving family surrounding him.
He was born a preemie on Aug. 31, 1954, to Virginia L. and Bruce W. Churchill in Kalamazoo, Mich. He was special from the start, being their only little boy and having two older sisters to dote on him. He always had a sweet smile, an outgoing personality and a wonderful sense of humor.
Bruce had many interests and could have gone into any field when he graduated at the top of his class from Comstock High School. He chose medicine and became dedicated to that goal.
In 1976 Bruce received his BS in Microbiology from Michigan State University. He then attended the University of Michigan Medical School from which he received his M.D. in 1980. It was at Michigan State where he met his future wife, Cindy, in a Humanities class. They were married in June of 1978 at The Church of Jesus Christ in Detroit and would be blessed to spend 37 years together.
After medical school, when Bruce had to choose a location for his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, he was drawn to the program and people at Maine Medical Center. Bruce and Cindy thought that living in Maine would only be a four-year adventure, but they ended up making their lives here.
They had three daughters, Cristina, Tessa and Leah, who were each very precious to Bruce. Despite the fact that he had an extremely taxing work schedule, the family had dinner together almost every night. Bruce was dedicated to spending special time with each girl and attended every sporting event and performance. He passionately pursued his many interests, and instilled enthusiasm and joy in his daughters. Whether leading the family on outdoor hikes, doing crossword puzzles, story telling, playing card games, music or singing, every activity was more fun because he was involved.
Bruce loved God, his family, his work and his patients. Over 30 years in practice he delivered about 6,000 babies. He was a good listener and a good talker. He made each of his patients feel special because he felt each patient was special. Bruce was a very active member of his church, always prayed before difficult procedures, and was an example of how to be caring. He generously shared time with friends and was at his happiest when entertaining or accepting an invitation. Even when he was completely exhausted from being up all night he was determined to come home and participate in whatever had been planned.
Bruce was a gardener, an excellent trumpet player
Dr. Bruce L. Churchill
and a natural athlete. He enjoyed playing sports and watching sports. He was a gifted teacher and loved watching others learn. This was evident at the hospital when he worked with OB/GYN residents, at home when he worked with his daughters, and at Greely High School when he became assistant coach for the Girls Volleyball team. Over 11 years coaching (beginning as a club team), the girls won eight State Championships. Coaching volleyball made him extremely happy. It combined his love of sports with his love of teaching. When he was diagnosed with ALS in 2007, the players and parents rallied around him. He continued to coach for the next four years and made every practice and game he could, including the State Championship in the fall of 2011.
ALS may have shortened Bruce's life, but it did not define his life. He was determined, competitive, and gave his all fighting.
Bruce was predeceased by his parents, Bruce and Virginia; and by his cousin, Robert Churchill. Bruce is survived by his loving wife Cindy; and daughters, Cristina, Tessa and Leah. He is also survived by sisters Connie (Blake) Hagman, Carolyn (Tom) Fehsenfeld, and Polly Churchill; as well as his cousin Roberta Churchill. He will be dearly missed by mother-in-law Vanna Ignagni; brothers and sisters-in-law, Patrizia and Frank Machnik, Joseph and Darlene Ignagni, and Claudia Ignagni. He leaves eight talented and special nieces and nephews: Alan, Ben and Dana Fehsenfeld, Jennifer Copland, Rebecca Ouding, Jason and Justin Machnik, and Chelsea Ignagni. He will be missed by many close friends and colleagues.
A visitation will be held at Coastal Women's Healthcare, 71 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, on Friday, Aug. 24, from 3-5 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, at Hannaford Lecture Hall on the USM Portland Campus. Assistance provided by A.T. Hutchins, LLC, 660 Brighton Ave., in Portland. To sign a guest book and share memories, go to the obituary page at www.athutchins.com.
Memorial donations can be made to:
The ALS Association of Northern New England
Walk to Defeat ALS
http://webnne.alsa.org/goto/ WelovedBruce
or The Coach Bruce Churchill
Volleyball Scholarship
Care of Greely High School
Cumberland, Maine 04021