Bruce Howard Empie

Bruce Howard Empie, 89, of Fort Mill, SC, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, and he is now with his heavenly Father. He will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, work ethic, and steadfast devotion to his family. Bruce is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Marianne; his son, Scott and his wife Sandy; his daughter, Kristen and her husband Paul Murray; his grandchildren, Paige (husband Evan Wagenmaker), Jack and Kate Murray and Hunter Snow, and great-grandchild Hailey Rose Snow. He is also survived by his three brothers, David, Jeff and Mark and their families, and by two sisters, Marilyn Gorman and Pam Erickson and their families.

Son of Elsie and Howard Empie, Bruce grew up with five siblings on his father's tree nursery in upstate New York. Together, they shared countless stories and happy memories which they enjoyed retelling when they gathered through the years. He was proud of earning the Order of the Arrow and Silver Eagle as a member of the Boy Scouts of America. He served in the US Air Force from 1956 to 1960 and was honorably discharged as Airman First Class. He went on to work for the Nabisco Lifesavers Company for 35 years and then enjoyed retirement traveling with his wife and family. He served as Elder and went on mission trips with the Presbyterian Church USA. His favorite pastimes included playing golf, fishing and hunting with his brothers in the Boreas River in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate NY, and relocating squirrels that invaded his bird feeder.

A Celebration of Life will be held at South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 10:00 am. More information will be provided. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church for their mission and community service work, 8601 Bryant Farms Road, Charlotte, NC 28277.