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Bruce Blander Obituary

Blander, Bruce
EAST GREENBUSH - Bruce Blander passed away at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany on September 18, 2023, with his family at his side.
Born on January 16, 1956, in Queens, he was the son of the late Murray and Frances Blander. In addition to his wife of 40 years, Susan, Bruce is survived by his son, Eric and daughter-in-law, Marissa Tuszynski; sisters and brother-in-law, Cynthia Guess, and Dwight (Linda) Guess; and several beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Jill Peiser.
A longtime resident of Schodack and East Greenbush, Bruce grew up in North Bellmore on Long Island. He graduated from the State University College at Oneonta with a degree in psychology and spent his career at Parsons Child and Family Center in Albany. He began working with children and later became the manager of information systems. In 1990, he was a recipient of the Elizabeth Campbell Award for staff members who exemplify the personal qualities of concern for others, advocacy, and empathy, coupled with a demonstrated life commitment to serving others.
Despite his chronic illness, Bruce was always positive, readily sharing his smile, sense of humor, and laughter. He had a lifelong passion for music and playing guitar. Bruce loved animals, being close to nature, photography, gastronomy and technical gadgetry. He took most pleasure in spending time with his cherished wife, son and family. A kind and loyal friend with an enormous heart, Bruce was generous in spirit to all. He will be sorely missed.
Cremation has taken place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc. A celebration of Bruce's life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Spondylitis Association of America at spondylitis.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Blander family online at SimpleChoicesCremation.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albany Times Union on Sep. 24, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Blander

12 Entries

Stan Blander

September 18, 2024

May he forever rest in peace

Nancy Jacobs Stiefel

November 19, 2023

I am so sorry to hear about Bruce. I knew him from the neighborhood, and he was so upbeat always. We reconnected via FB, and we wrote back and forth about family, our lives, laughed abt some old stuff. He spoke so highly of you Sue, and Eric, was very proud of you both, and excited when Eric was getting married. Wishing all of you warmth and peace in your memories. Just such a nice guy, as I mentioned before, What more can we ask for? May his memory be a blessing.

Stanley Blander

September 27, 2023

may you rest in peace cousin

Ann Lieberburg

September 24, 2023

Bruce and I went to Mepham HS together, class of '74. Although we lost touch over tge years, I was excited to reconnect with him on Facebook and even more excited to recently learn that we lived only about 20 minutes apart in upstate New York. He told me of his medical issues and that I could come and visit when he felt better. Unfortunately, that never happened. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and that I never got to see him. My sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends

Mary Matthews

September 24, 2023

I had the great pleasure of working with Bruce at Parsons many moons ago. I remember him as a wonderful teacher and a great colleague. May Bruce's memory be for a blessing.

Mary Matthews

Karen (Antoinette) Cuprill

September 22, 2023

I cannot believe that I am saying goodbye to my dear friend, Bruce. Sue and Eric, please accept my sympathies for this great loss you have suffered.

Bruce has meant so much to me - especially in these last years. I met him in the 8th grade around the time that he, Jimmy, Dominic, Danny and Steve were forming their band, "Kash Mountain."

Bruce won me over with his silly sense of humor and his never ending puns. The first time we spoke on the phone (a landline in those days), we talked for 2 hours before we realized how much time had passed. He was a great listener and always able to cheer me up by playing "the sunshine chord" (a name we made up) on his guitar when I was feeling low. Through his love of music, he was "instrumental" (he would love that play on words) in introducing me to musicians, Henry Gross and Aztec Two Step.

We continued our friendship throughout Jr High and High School, but sadly we lost touch during the college years. Imagine my surprise, when about 12 years ago, I received a letter from our High School alumni society advising me that Bruce was looking for me. Since they provided his contact info, I jumped on the chance to re-connect with him asap!

By that time, I was already living in Texas. We traded many texts talking about our lives, spouses, kids and always reminiscing about our youth. Through Bruce, I had met Cathy, Seth, Jon, Rich and Bob -all of whom I found out he was still in touch with. What a credit to Bruce to keep his circle of friends so close over the decades. I know we will all treasure the years we had with him. I have no words to describe how much I will miss him. My heart is truly broken.

In closing, Sue and Eric, please know how often Bruce spoke lovingly of you both. He didn´t know what he would do without Sue to help him through his tough times. And even through his texts, I could almost see Bruce beaming when he wrote about Eric. He was so thrilled last year when Eric married Marissa. Sue, I hope you, Eric and Marissa will be able to fill the void that Bruce´s passing has left with all the wonderful memories you have of him. I wish you all peace and much love.

Lori Cohen

September 21, 2023

I met Bruce freshman year at Oneonta through Laurie Rothfeld. He and Rich Carpenter were roommates and we became good friends. We shared many laughs as he was always joking around. After college, we kept in touch from time to time. Several years ago, my husband,Peter, and I had the pleasure of meeting Sue and Eric while they were vacationing in Spring Lake, Nj. We reminisced about college and our current lives. My favorite memory, which I will treasure forever, was only 2 years ago. Bruce strummed his guitar and sang Happy Birthday for my surprise 65 th video montage.
Sending all of you my heartfelt condolences during this unimaginable and devastating time.

Cathy Stogel

September 21, 2023

Dear Sue and Eric, I am sending my love and deepest sympathy to you and your family. My heart goes out to you.
Bruce embraced life. He cherished Sue and often mentioned to me how lucky he was that she married him. He was in awe of her and often bragged about all the amazing things she did at home, for him and others and with her students. Bruce adored Eric and was incredibly proud of him. He was so happy to have Marissa as a daughter-in-law.
Bruce's friendship has been an amazing gift. I'll miss his sense of humor, even his corny jokes (...you may be bland but I'm blander). I'll miss his righteous indignation on my behalf when I complained about others. I'll miss Bruce's stories about family life and all the things going on in his home. I'll miss his enthusiasm for food and every and any new gadget he read about, and his recommendations for music and bands I never heard of. I'll miss his genuine concern for my problems and the care he took in supporting me and giving advice. I'll miss Bruce's unfailing kindness. I'll miss talking to him about ridiculously random things. I will miss having such a true, thoughtful, courageous, funny and generous friend. I am so very thankful he was a part of my life.

Robin (Inselman) Sauerhaft

September 21, 2023

Bruce and I knew each other in both high school and college. Although we weren't close friends, we were always happy to see each other, and I was glad when we reconnected through Facebook. I'm so very sorry to hear of his passing, and I send my sincerest condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed. May his memory be a blessing.

Debra Mcdermott

September 21, 2023

Bruce worked in my classroom and was a great person to work with . The students loved him. We will miss him greatly. Debby and Bobby McDermott

Laurie (Zager) Kafka

September 21, 2023

Although Bruce and I were only acquaintances, I´ve known him all throughout our schooling right on through Oneonta. I always knew him to be a kind & gentle person. Condolences to his family and may his memory be a blessing.

Steve Biegler

September 21, 2023

Bruce was one of the kindest guys I have ever known. He taught me how to play guitar, which trust me, required extreme patience on his part. I am so sad today. My condolences to his family. May his memory be a blessing.

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