Dr. Bruce W. Wild, O.D., 85, of Westport, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2013 at home with his family by his side. He was the husband of the late June E. (Manchester) Wild to whom he had been married for 56 years.
Born in Fall River, son of the late Dr. George H. Wild and Gertrude D. Williston Wild, Bruce was a graduate of the BMC Durfee High School Class of 1945. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University in 1949, and achieved his Doctor of Optometry from Columbia University in 1953. After graduation, he assumed his father’s optometry practice in Fall River and remained in practice for thirty five years.
Bruce was a member of the American Optometric Association for 59 years. He served in leadership roles in the local Boy Scouts of America, and was the president of the Fall River Rotary Club, receiving a prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award for his devoted service. Bruce also served as a member of the Westport School Committee during the design years of the new Westport High School.
A true Westporter, Bruce loved his home and the nature of this special place. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, but he especially loved his family.
Bruce is survived by his two daughters: Sky Wild of Bridgewater and Pamela J. Wild of Bourne; his son Bruce W. Wild, Jr. of Old Orchard Beach, Maine; his twin brother Bradford W. Wild of Tigard, Oregon, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was the father of the late Stephen B. Wild.
A private graveside service will be held at Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
Memorial donations on his behalf may be made to the Westport Land Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 3975, 1100 D Main Road, Westport, Massachusetts 02790.