Donald Bruce

Family-Placed Funeral Notice

DONALD BRUCE Donald Bruce, a popular figure among Palm Beach's Worth Avenue shopkeepers, a bon vivant in the social set and a dedicated horseman, died on Thursday, November 25, 2004. He was 86 years old, having been born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on February 19, 1918. Bruce had suffered a paralytic stroke in December of 2001, but retained his determination to persevere, even attempting to ride again at Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding. "He just wouldn't give up," said a life-long friend from childhood days, when they played as children at the Huntington Bay Club on Long Island's North Shore. Following his stroke, Bruce traveled several times to White Oak Plantation in Yulee, Fla., headquarters of the Gilman Foundation. Bruce had been named a director of the Foundation on the death of his longtime friend, Howard Gilman, Chairman of Gilman Paper Co., and noted patron of the arts. Six-foot-four and debonair, Bruce exuded a charm and "gift for gab" that attracted friends and customers to his namesake shop, Donald Bruce. Until his retirement to Wellington, Fl., he customarily donated the shop's imported caviar for charity gala door prizes. Having attended Brooklyn Polytechnic Preparatory School and Dartmouth, Bruce had an off Broadway stint acting and singing in the 1940's. He took a day job at Lord & Taylor's. Bruce became merchandise manager at Maison Blanc in New Orleans, then worked for Rich's in Atlanta before joining the Hermes shop there. He later opened Hermes shops in Miami and Palm Beach before opening his own shop on Worth Avenue in 1980. Bruce had been Master Foxhounds (MFH) of the Tri-County Hunt, Griffin, Ga., was active in the incipient Palm Beach Hunt, and showed hunters. Bruce's long survival and activism in his disabled condition were attributed to the special nursing care by Sharon Grant and her assistants of Helpers International, Inc. His final days were eased by the thoughtful services of Hospice of Palm Beach County, Inc. Survivors include his brothers, Gordon R. Bruce of Stuart, FL, and Alan T. Bruce, of North Palm Beach, FL, their wives, Bette and Nancy; a sister, Mrs. Nancy Kramer of Long Beach, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Monday, December 6, 2004 at 2:00 PM at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice or to Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center 13300 6th Ct N., Loxahatchee, FL 33470. PALMS WEST FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORYRoyal Palm Beach, FL www.palmswestfuneralhome.com