Bruce Bennett Daniel of Weston, MA died Sunday, May 8, 2022 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Born February 4, 1950 in Providence, RI to the late Charles P. and Helene (Grahn) Daniel, Bruce spent most of his early years in Georgia. He returned to Rhode Island and graduated from Cranston East High School in 1968. He then attended the University of Rhode Island.
While it would be simple to say he graduated in 1972, few things with Bruce were ever that straightforward. Bruce was a busy guy in college. He paid his way through college buying, restoring, and selling cars. He was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper and a DJ at the campus radio station. He ran for and was elected representative to the Rhode Island State Legislature while still a student. Though he finished his time on campus and moved on to law school at New England School of Law, it turns out that he was actually a few credits short of being able to graduate. He later convinced URI to give him credit for life experience and earned his BA in 1980, three years after he received his JD. It was one of the many times Bruce proved that “no” is just the beginning of negotiations.
Bruce served four terms as a State Representative, from 1970-1978, proudly serving Cranston. Despite a successful career in law and many political accomplishments, at heart he was a creator and builder. He moved to Boston’s Charlestown in 1982 and began his 40 year career in real estate development.
If needed, he could do almost every job on site, from drafting plans in CAD to the final details of carpentry work. Bruce could build or fix almost anything. In fact, in his final weeks he amazed the nurses at MGH as he fixed multiple pieces of his own medical equipment.
Bruce was always on the go and had outdoor activities that brought him joy year round. He loved to ski and was an avid golfer who reveled in the camaraderie and competition at every level. He was a member of Weston Golf Club, Oyster Harbors Club and Quail Ridge Country Club. Perhaps his biggest outdoor passion was boating; he passed on his love of boats to his son, Ben, ensuring that we’d all have a way to be together on the water long after he was gone.
Bruce loved to travel and had the opportunity to see much of the world, including: Italy, China, Antarctica, Egypt, Kenya, Venezuela, Ireland and Sweden. He played golf at courses around the United States and Europe with a great group of friends which brought him much joy.
Family and friends were most important to him. He loved hosting large gatherings for holidays or “just because” and could most often be found making meals in his wood fired pizza oven or cooking up corned beef and cabbage for his popular annual St. Patrick’s Day party. Bruce enjoyed little more than debating those with different viewpoints on almost any subject. He was generous with those he loved (and those he didn’t know). Even near the end, Bruce gave his energy and love freely and without limit, helping to ensure that his passing was as easy on others as possible.
Bruce put a lot of love into the world and was loved deeply in return. Bruce is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 29 years, Susan Dacey, his three children, Bennett Daniel, Jorie Daniel and Michaela Daniel and her wife Lindsay Greene and his two granddaughters Zuri and Nyah Daniel-Greene, his siblings D. Wayne Daniel and his wife Marguerite, Charlene Sullivan, Linda Daniel, Darlene Velardo, his former wife Susan O’Neill, and many in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Helene Daniel, his brothers Charles Daniel Jr. and Donald Daniel, his parents-in-law Ralph and Marjorie Dacey and Tip and Millie O’Neill, and his brothers-in-law Arthur Sullivan and Michael O’Neill.
Bruce kept a short poem framed in his office that he referenced in his final days: “You can use most any measure when you’re speaking of success. You can measure it in a fancy home, expensive car or dress. But the measure of your real success is one you cannot spend – it’s the way your child describes you when talking to a friend.”
Visiting hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home 477 Washington St., (Rt.16) Wellesley on Thursday, May 19 from 4-7pm. A Funeral Mass will be held in St. John the Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Rd., Wellesley Hills, Friday, May 20 at 10am and will be immediately followed by a reception at the Weston Golf Club at 275 Meadowbrook Rd., Weston. Relatives and friends kindly invited.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Family Pantry of Cape Cod www.thefamilypantry.com or a charity of your choice.