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Bruce Ikeda Obituary
Bruce T. Ikeda, affectionately known as “Big Guy” and “The Mayor”, joined his parents George and Janet Ikeda in heaven on Wednesday, January 4th, 2023. He was 63 years old.
With inspiring determination, relentless optimism and grit, Bruce bravely battled cancer to continue to make lasting memories with his family and friends.
He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, sibling, uncle, friend, and mentor. Since his passing, his family has received an outpouring of love and wonderful memories from family and friends. The common theme about Bruce was he was one of a kind; charismatic, jovial, genuine, and kindhearted.
Most recently, his three grandchildren became his new pride and joy. They sweetly spent almost every weekend joining him on an adventure; hikes, bike rides, and playing on the playground. They brought lots of love and laughter to him in his final days on earth.
He had a tremendous passion for meeting people and a sincere interest in learning about others and their families. He was truly blessed and grateful to have so many amazing people in his life and took great pride in connecting families in his world.
He had a deep love for his family. He is survived by his wife Anne Dooley Ikeda. His children Brian (Casey), Casey (Kirstie), and Jamie. His grandchildren Hana, Grant, and Quinn. His siblings Lynn (Ed), Jane (Steve), and Doug (Tanya). His nephews Eric and Danny and niece Becky. His amazing extended relatives and hundreds of friends.
He grew up in Allentown PA, Tamano Japan, and Emmaus PA. He graduated from Emmaus High School in 1977 and from Muhlenberg College in 1981. He swam competitively from the age of 6-19, which led to a lifelong habit of getting up at 4:30am to work out.
His first job in sales began at IBM and extended 29 years. He started his career in Scranton PA, moved to White Plains NY, and finally landed on the Main Line of Philadelphia. During this time his passion for creating lifelong friendships really flourished. He later spent 12 years at Arthur J. Gallagher where he relished the opportunity to mentor younger teammates in sales and life. Upon retirement, he became a volunteer mentor at the Youth Mentoring Partnership and a Board Member at Help Hope Live. Here he found great joy and fulfillment.
After family, sports were his second passion. He relished watching his sons’ teams play basketball, football and most importantly a sport he had never heard of growing up, lacrosse.
He had the great fortune of helping the Herzlich family start the Conestoga Youth Lacrosse program in 1997. It became his all-consuming joy. The memories of Bruce around the lacrosse field began with coaching. Later, he made sure to be at every one of his sons’ games where he would hand out halftime waters to the referees, even if they called penalties on his sons. Later, he was able travel around the country during the boys’ college years to watch them compete. Finally, he readily volunteered to keep an eye out for talent during his son Casey’s college coaching career.
Lastly, the Thanksgiving holiday exemplified the main things he loved family, friends and food. Thanksgiving was a large legendary feast that he would begin preparing weeks in advance. It also led to the last prayer we shared again before his passing, “Thank you for the food before us, the people around us, and the love between us”.
One of his final requests was a gathering of friends at Great American Pub. Please join his family on Sunday January 15th from 4pm-7pm at the Great American Pub in Conshohocken (123 Fayette St, Conshohocken, PA 19428).
A church service will be held on Monday, January 16th at 10:30am at Saint Norbert’s Church (50 Leopard Rd, Paoli, PA 19301). A luncheon will follow at Waynesborough Country Club (440 Darby Paoli Rd, Paoli, PA 19301).
In lieu of flowers, Bruce requested donations in his name to Help Hope Live at https://helphopelive.org/donate/donate-to-help-hope-live/, the Youth Mentoring Partnership at https://youthmp.org/donate/, and to read “TIP” by Dave Gordon https://davegordon.net/tip-a-simple-strategy-to-inspire-high-performance-and-lasting-success/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
People and places connected with Bruce
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Richard Rick Ashner
July 6, 2023
One of my favorite people from the old days at 'Berg. Bruce was a great guy to know. He brightened a room whenever he was in it. Great to have along at basketball games to complain and moan to about the horrible coaching! Rest easy Bruce.
John Lammers
January 20, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Bruce was special to multiple generations of the Lammers Family.
Joanna McCray
January 19, 2023
My Condolences to the family may God give you Comfort and Peace during this time.
Jeff Bergstrom
January 17, 2023
I'm so grateful to have called you my friend. You are the epitome of class & kindness & joy. You will be missed, Mr. Mayor. May you rest in peace, as no one deserves it more.
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Drew Bubser
January 16, 2023
IBM Golf Outing fall 2011.
Eva Connor
January 16, 2023
I am very saddened for the loss of Bruce Ikeda. I had the joy and pleasure of knowing him through work at Gallagher Benefits. One of the kindest, caring people I have ever met. Always smiling and stopping to say hi and inquire on what was happening in my world. My deepest condolences to the Ikeda family on this great loss. He will be sorely missed and always remembered with great fondness.
Ron & Connie Sedgley
January 15, 2023
As I write this on Sunday afternoon, January 15th, friends and family are preparing to honor one of Bruce´s last wishes by gathering at Great American Pub in Conshohocken. Connie and I wish we could be there with everyone. Please know that we are there with you in spirit. We were shocked this past August to hear of Bruce´s struggle and even more heartbroken to learn of his passing. I worked with Bruce at IBM in Scranton. He was an easy friend to all with his trademark big smile and glint in his eyes. Our three children remember him fondly and were also shocked to hear the news of "Mr. Ikeda" as he occasionally came by our home for dinner. We will miss you, Bruce. May you rest in peace knowing you have brightened the lives of many. Connie and I are so grateful to have had Bruce Ikeda as a part of our lives.
Elena Anguita
January 10, 2023
I am shocked and very saddened at the news of Bruce's passing. I knew Bruce at IBM in Scranton (where I worked for 12 years after graduating from college) and will always remember his smile, his positive energy and his willingness to help - qualities that made him a truly special person. I feel grateful to have known him, even for a brief time, and I send my most sincere condolences and healing wishes to his family.
Casey Mulligan #48 and the Mulligan Family
January 10, 2023
Coach Ikeda and Family, We are sorry to hear about the loss of your father. He sounded like a real good guy.
The Ludrof Family
January 9, 2023
Bruce grew up with our children; swimming at Trident Swim club. Every time we ran into Bruce, usually at an airport, he was smiling. His face lit up with that smile and made everyone he met, smile right back. Our prayers to Ann and her children.
Mike and Mary Nagle
January 9, 2023
Bruce will be deeply missed. He was a man who led by example. He always had a huge smile on his face and was a friend to everyone who met him. Sending all our love, Mike and Mary Nagle
Weinberg Family
January 9, 2023
My family is so sorry to hear of Bruce´s passing. I had the pleasure of working with Bruce at Health Advocate. From the moment he learned I had a son who played lacrosse, he enthusiastically wanted to provide any guidance he could. He wanted to meet and chat with Reed directly sharing his son´s experiences with the recruiting process. He kept in touch and followed Reed´s team throughout-even sending messages about specific games/results. I am sincerely grateful for his friendship. Much love to his family during this difficult time.
Monica Alberico
January 9, 2023
My sincere condolences to the family. I met Bruce at the IBM Scranton Sales Office. He will be remembered by that wonderful smile, his kindness and warmth. A beautiful human being. Blessings, Monica
Korinne Chlebove Vanderpool
January 8, 2023
Many summers of fun with all of the Ikedas at Trident Swim Club, part of the fabric of my youth. My heart goes out to all of Bruce´s family, he was a ray of sunshine. Prayers for all.
Steve Sheptak
January 8, 2023
I was so sorry to hear of Bruce´s passing. I worked with Bruce at IBM in Scranton. As many will attest, Bruce always had a smile on his face. He was always there to help anyone both inside and outside of IBM. His activities in his community speaks for itself. Even though he has left us, in the days, weeks and months ahead, we will all have many, many good memories to reflect back on. He helped make life better for his family, people, and organizations where he lived. We need more people like Bruce in our world. My thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family. Bruce, my friend, you were the best
Steve Sheptak
Patricia and Brian Kelly
January 8, 2023
Bruce Ikeda was a wonderful friend to Pat and I and all of us that he met through IBM and elsewhere, before and after IBM. He was a loving husband, father, grandpop, brother, uncle, and whatever his relationship was to you. He was loved by all. The words shocked and sad have been the two most used words to describe many reactions to the word that God had called him so early. It was bitter news and the taste of his passing lingers. I cannot think of any bad qualities that he ever displayed because I am convinced he had none. Being a giving person is one of his hallmarks for sure. With his positive attitude, if things did not seem to be going right for any of us, he would make them as right as they could be and he would make us smile with his sincere take on everything about life. He was a gentleman for sure and everybody I know misses him to pieces already. I read some of what others wrote and Bruce is surely all that good exemplifies and more-well-loved-no doubt about it. He was a fine IBMer and a wonderful Systems Engineer. He was as good as it gets in life and in his demanding job at IBM. I can´t stand the fact that he is gone. There is no way to replace a great man such as him. Pat and I pray that our Lord God will not hesitate to take Bruce into his eternal chambers in heaven for if anybody ever earned his stripes in life, it was Bruce Ikeda. Amen!
Lyle and Sandy Kresge
January 7, 2023
This message comes with our deepest sympathy. A great friend from work and outside of working hours is gone. I knew Bruce from the day he arrived in Scranton and hope in some way I was a mentor. Every one liked Bruce for his outgoing personality and constant smile. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace my friend.
Lyle Kresge
Drew Bubser
January 7, 2023
Bruce has been a good friend for over 40 years, from our IBM days and way beyond. I loved our dinner together in November and will always look back with great happiness on all the moments we shared together. My condolences to the entire Ikeda family.
Sara and Drew Bubser
Bill Weber
January 7, 2023
My memories of Bruce are many but as I now consider these experiences a clear pattern emerges. Bruce Ikeda was a good, kind and generous human being. He was smart, industrious, open and loving. Even in these last days and our final conversation he was genuinely more interested in knowing about my family and how I was doing than in the difficult circumstances he bravely faced. The only people who do not love Bruce Ikeda are those who never met him. A finer person has yet to have been born. We will all miss him terribly but derive solace from the fact that he is with his Almighty and Loving God; no doubt smiling, making new friends and waiting for us.
Peace and Love to All,
Bill Weber
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