Bruce W. VanEtten

Bruce VanEtten, lifelong resident of Whitesboro, passed away on July 12, 2025.

He was born on November 9, 1950, the son of Edward and Barbara (Coggins) VanEtten. He attended Whitesboro Central Schools. He began his career as a teenager at the Flagg Street Ice Skating Rink, was a member of the Whitesboro Fire Department for many years, and retired as a Foreman after 35 years with the Village of Whitesboro Highway Dept., retiring in 2006.

He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his silliness, and never holding back an opinion. He was blessed with the gift of gab and quick wit. He had an outgoing personality and was able to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and walk away with a new friend. He had a lifelong love of fishing, hunting, and camping at the St. Lawrence River, that he passed on to his sons and grandchildren. He enjoyed many motorcycle trips with the guys, and especially his Thursday morning breakfast's with his close friends at the diner. One of his favorite pastimes was sitting on the porch with his friends and his dog Buddy, whom he loved dearly.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Lauri; his children, Jason, Jami, and Justin (Jessica); grandchildren, Lilli, Luke, and Jakob VanEtten and Zachery and Erik (Michelle) Harris; his brother, Ronald; and sister, Suzanne. He was predeceased by his brother, Brian.

Bruce's family would like to express their sincere thanks to the nursing staff at Rome Health ICU and Respiratory Care team for their compassionate and exceptional care.

His funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 19th, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Church, 16 Park Ave., Whitesboro. Arrangements are in care of Dimbleby Funeral Homes, Inc., 40 Main St., Whitesboro.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy may be left at www.dimblebyfh.com.