Bruce Hass

TORRINGTON - Bruce Hass, 73, of Torrington, Conn., passed on Monday, Sept. 22, 2014, from lung cancer at the Veteran's Hospital in West Haven, Conn. He was born on March 21, 1941, in Meriden, son of Dorris and Alfred Hass. Bruce leaves a son, Edward Hass, and his children, Charlotte, Gillian, Katherine, and Samuel; and a son, Brian Hass, and his wife, Meredith, and their daughter, Olivia; an older brother, David, his wife, Barbara, and their children, Deborah, Stephen, and Scott; a younger brother, Gary, with his two daughters, Kelly and Shannon; and the mother of his children, Brigitta Fuchs Swiatek (Kitty Hass). He was proud of his service with the Connecticut National Guard, Company B, 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry, from Meriden, Conn. Bruce owned and operated The Exotic Feather, a pet store specializing in birds, fish, and reptiles for almost 20 years. He then worked at Cumberland Farms for another 12 years. No matter where he worked, he was dedicated to the success of the business, the cheer of employees he worked with, and the customers he served. Bruce was a devout conservative, and his car was well decorated with bumper stickers announcing his support of the NRA, the GOP, and the Wounded Warrior Project. Bruce loved Elvis Presley's music, and though Elvis passed a week before the concert in Hartford, he kept the ticket as though it was a touch point back to "The King."

Friends may pay respects to the family at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 837 Charles St., Torrington, at 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 10, with a memorial service at 11 a.m. He will be put to rest at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Meriden. Memorial contributions may be made to Roaring Brook Nature Center (Aviary), 70 Gracey Road, Canton, CT 06019, (860) 693-0263; or to the Veteran's Administration, New England Healthcare Network (www.pay.gov/public/form/start/52253675/). His wish was for friends and family to "Live, Love, and Laugh."