Bruce A. Wightman

Bruce A. Wightman, 71 passed away on June 9, 2025, after a long illness at Andover Forest in North Andover MA.

Bruce spent his childhood years in Lawrence, MA with his mother and sisters. He attended Essex Agricultural High School. As a young man he decided to honorably serve his country by enrolling in the United States Army serving with the 25th Infantry as a E5 Tow Missile Specialist. He served with honor and pride. A devoted American who believed in all our freedoms, sometimes a little too loudly, lol, Bruce served in Germany and Hawaii before coming back to the United States to start his family. Bruce spent 35 years employed by Malden Mills in Lawrence, MA until his retirement in 2011. He was the vice president of the Local 311 union and fought diligently for workers rights. He was even back to work the next day after the massive Malden Mills fire in 1995. He was a hard-working man who tried to instill those values onto his children which we are forever grateful for. He was a lover of old western movies and Sci-Fi, which bore his children endlessly. Bruce was a devoted and avid lover of all sports. He spent over 20 years volunteering for Methuen Pop Warner football. In the years prior to his stroke Bruce was a coach and eventually ran the snack hut. His heart was always in New England. He was a passionate Red Sox fan but die-hard Patriots fan. Everyone knew his Sundays were spent at Nicholson Stadium during home games; but he always had his radio going to listen to the Pats game. Bruce loved to bowl. He spent many years on various bowling leagues. We can't forget his endless love for Market Basket, Coca Cola and the daily numbers game. Bruce spent almost 40 years as a Methuen native, raising his children Shawn, Adam, Kellie, Erin, Michael and Christopher in the old neighborhood. Bruce also had many other children he became a second father to. He always opened his doors to whomever needed a meal, place to sleep or just a conversation. They all knew they were welcome. Growing up, our friends became his kids, their kids were his grandkids. Known as Grumpy, the name was him in a nutshell.

Bruce is survived by his 6 children, Shawn Wightman and wife Jodie, Adam Wightman and wife Melissa, Kellie Butler and husband Daniel, Sr, Erin Nichols and husband Martin, Michael Wightman and wife Annie, Christopher Wightman and wife Lori. Bruce is also survived by James Provencher who he took on as an adoptive son. He also leaves his sisters Linda McIntyre and her husband Skip, Brenda Brooks and Dawn Marie Simpson, his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Samantha, Alexi, Adam Jr, Addisyn, Kyle, Zachary, Kristen, Lauren, Eric, Mikey, Jacob, Brianna, Mathieu, Ethan, Shaylee, Aislyn, Abel, Danny Jr, Joshua, Kassidy, Jaxon and Ellie as well as his great grandchildren, Cameron, Elias, Oliver and Paisley and Brynlee. We can't even include all the children throughout the years that have considered him their Grumpy. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He wanted to give a special shoutout to his previous wife Joan Wightman, without her he wouldn't have had so many awesome kids and grandkids! He is predeceased and now reunited with his Mother Marilyn Scott, brother Georgie and his sister Pamela Chabuz with whom he was extremely close with and missed dearly. Our family would like to thank the Nursing Staff at Andover Forest for their endless love and care they gave to him during his years there. Rest Easy now Brucey, your fight is over….

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Friday June 20, 2025 from 10 am to Noon at the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home 80 Broadway, Methuen. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen. To leave an online condolence, please visit Bruce's tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.