R. Bruce Bainbridge

1922 - 2018

R. Bruce Bainbridge

Allensville - R. Bruce Bainbridge, 95, passed away at 11:31 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at Valley View Haven, Belleville.

Born September 14, 1922 in Enola, he was a son of the late Clarence Adam Bainbridge and Cora Nevada (Snyder) Bainbridge Frederick. He was first united in marriage to Eunice Mae McCulloh Miller Bainbridge who preceded him in death on January 18, 1998. He then married Janet K. Greenhoff Bainbridge who survives.

Surviving are the following children, Dale F. Miller and wife, Liz, Gerald M. Miller and wife, Vera, Meredith Miller Wolfe and husband, Robert, Ann Minnich and husband, Philip, all of York, Mary L. Biser and R. Brucette Bainbridge Metz and husband, Larry, both of Allensville, and Lynn Bainbridge Kraszewski and husband, Ronald of Dry Fork, VA; 24 grandchildren; and 30 plus great-grandchildren; and great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents and first wife, Bruce was also preceded in death by three brothers, Clarence, Charles and John Bainbridge; and two sisters, Esther Bainbridge Snyder and Dorothy Bainbridge Lahr.

Bruce attended the Harrisburg public school system, including Camp Curtain Jr. High School, and he graduated in 1940 from William Penn Sr. High School. He then earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 1953 and a Master's degree in Physical Education in 1954 from Penn State University.

He served in the United States Army during WWII from January 18, 1943 to November 19, 1945 in the South Pacific Campaign (New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Iwo Jima) He enlisted in the army to be trained as a medic. He became a Corpsman with the 41st Medical Unit and worked in field hospitals and army tents. Bruce was known as the 'Roving Reporter' aboard the USS Rockwell in 1945 where he assisted with the newsletter.

He was employed as the athletic director of the YMCA and the Camp Ful-O-Fun in York. Following that he served as a special education teacher and guidance counselor for York City Schools for 30 plus years, specifically at Phineas Davis Jr. High School and Edgar Fahs Smith Middle School. During this same time, he served as recreation supervisor for Springettsbury Township, Bruce was involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Assoc., he was a member of the PA Parks and Recreation Board and the Penn State Alumni of York County. He was also known as "Your Gospel DJ of Mount Wolf, PA" on the WGCB Radio.

Bruce attended and was connected with a number of church congregations, including the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, Zion Mennonite Church and Living Word Church all in the York area. Most recently he attended Locust Grove Mennonite Church and the Chapel at Valley View Retirement Community. He was the founding father of the York Christian Day School, was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church Sunday school softball league Sr. division and the youth Basketball Nut League. He was also a member of the Optimist Club and was the trip director for Phineas Davis Jr. High.

Bruce served as a referee with the PIAA and was part of the recreational basketball youth programs for boys in the Mount Wolf and Manchester areas.

Bruce enjoyed attending Penn State football games home and away for 40 years. He also enjoyed playing handball, swimming laps, attending Broadway musicals and Southern Gospel concerts as well as polka dancing.

Bruce also received numerous awards including WGAL TV's Jefferson Award, three state awards from the PA Parks and Recreation Board; best performance for wholesome family entertainment from the summer concert series, received a distinguished member award, an award for the best brochure of park activities, and he received his varsity letter in swimming while at Penn State.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Locust Grove Mennonite Church, Belleville. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family at Hoover Cemetery in Mt. Wolf. His family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. There will also be a memorial service held on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Living Word Community Church in Red Lion. His family will receive friends there from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to: Living Word Community Church Building fund, 2530 Cape Horn Road, Red Lion, PA 17356 or to Big Valley Thrift & Gift Shop, Building Fund, 35 Walnut St., Belleville, PA 17004.