Bruce C. Langlan

Bruce C. Langlan, 82, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, died peacefully in his home on June 10, 2025, after a long illness.
He leaves behind many family and loved ones, including his wife, Ruth Langlan (Moodie), of Bridgewater, MA; his son, Eric Langlan, of Pembroke, MA; his stepchildren, Jesse Douillette, of Concord, NH, Joanna (Jason) Varvoutis of Eugene, OR, and David (Amanda) Douillette of Wareham, MA; and his grandchildren, Olivia Langlan, Benjamin Langlan, Evan Varvoutis, Avery Varvoutis, and Tessa Douillette. He joins his parents, Robert Langlan and Lois Langlan (Stengel), brother, Barry Langlan, and his beloved Nana, Signe Langlan, in peace.
Bruce was born on June 25, 1942 in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Roslindale High School, then attended Springfield College, and earned a Masters in Health Education at the University of Illinois. Bruce began his career as a teacher in Cromwell, Connecticut, in the midst of the Vietnam War. He got a draft notice from the Army, but chose instead to enlist in the Marines Corp on his own terms. He received his officer's training at Quantico, Virginia in 1967 and headed to Vietnam, where he served from 1968 to 1970.
When he returned, he joined Massasoit Community College as their first-ever athletic director, from 1970-1991, and later became Assistant Dean of College Operations.
Bruce always said "if you're going to do something, do it right." He lived by those words, giving his all to everything he did. He renovated bathrooms and living rooms, laid paving stones, helped friends build decks. He turned patches of grass into thriving gardens and gave food to his neighbors. He taught scuba diving. He played soccer. He golfed. He kayaked. He skied. He biked. He jogged. He played tennis and later pickleball. He baked. He read.
He coached the Massasoit men's basketball team for two seasons, from 1971-1973, bringing their record from 9-11 to 18-4. In 2010 he was inducted into the Massasoit Hall of Fame to honor his work there as Athletic Director.
He taught himself how to use a video camera years before everyone had one in their pockets, and put together highlight reels for Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School student athletes to help their college chances.
He was a volunteer for the Friends of BR Athletics program, working as their treasurer, and helped overcome serious funding issues by helping open a school store and concession stand.
He was a lifelong advocate of the YMCA, where he began volunteering at just 12 years old. By high school he had advanced to the position of Waterfront Director, and continued to go daily through most of his adult life. Bruce loved playing pickleball there with friends.
Bruce was active in local issues, and cared so much about the communities he was a part of.
He never backed down from a challenge, and leaves us with a legacy of hard work and commitment to family, friends, and community. He is missed.
Bruce received incredible care and support from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute throughout his illness. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his honor.
Visitation will be on his birthday, Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 3pm to 6pm at Chapman Funeral Home in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, followed by a memorial service at 6pm for family and friends who would like to attend.