Bruce Francis Rittlinger

Feb. 18, 1949 – March 2, 2023

Bruce Francis Rittlinger, 74, of Enfield, passed away March 2, 2023, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

He was born in Rockville, on Feb. 18, 1949, to Francis and Theresa (Ignatowicz) Rittlinger, the first of six children. A 1967 graduate of East Windsor High School, Bruce served four years in the United States Navy primarily aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Dewey during the Vietnam War and Cold War era. He worked 50 years in the HVAC and mechanical contracting business primarily in northern Connecticut, with the final years devoted to mentorships for colleagues. He is remembered for his unique wit and a gift for storytelling, notably from his experiences camping, fishing, hunting and pitching horseshoes.

He leaves sons, David and wife, Natalie of Wake Forest, North Carolina and Mark of Gales Ferry; stepsons Marc Miller of Enfield, and Jeremy Miller of Santa Clara, California; stepdaughter Shannon Warren of Salem; brother Daniel and wife, Patti of Monson, Massachusetts; sisters Sandra Proctor and husband, Robert of Coventry, Kathleen Ritter and husband, Michael of Henderson, Nevada, and Cheryl Meredith of Coventry. He also leaves three grandchildren, Madison, Adam and Troy, and their mother Amy of South Windsor; and former spouse and mother of David and Mark, Carolyn Moore of Bailey, North Carolina. He is predeceased by his father Francis John Rittlinger (2010); mother Theresa (Ignatowicz) Rittlinger (1985); and brother Mark David Rittlinger (2020).

Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family for light food and refreshments from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the American Legion Post 80, 566 Enfield St., Enfield, for "A Gathering in Celebration of the Life of Bruce Francis Rittlinger." Bring a smile and story. Bruce would have appreciated it.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the American Legion.

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