Bruce Roy Hartshorn of Sandwich died on October 8, 2022. He was 84.
Bruce was the husband of Meryden Kirby; they shared 34 happy years together. He was the son of H. Roy Hartshorn and Muriel (Singleton) Hartshorn. He was born in in Brockton, and grew up in West Bridgewater, MA.
Bruce was trained as a registered nurse and also earned a Bachelor’s degree. He served two years in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He worked most of his career at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Bridgewater State Hospital where he was a psychiatric nurse until his retirement in 1991. Within a year of retirement, Bruce decided to reenter the workforce part-time and was employed at the New Bedford Crisis Center for several more years.
Later in his retirement, Bruce worked part-time for several summers at the Dexter Grist Mill in Sandwich, where he enjoyed sharing his knowledge of local historical facts with visitors. He also volunteered for numerous years at the Sandwich Food Pantry where he made many friends.
Bruce was also happy to relax and enjoyed entertaining friends and family in his back yard, where he grilled the best garlic burgers. He took time to take in sunrises and sunsets while walking his cocker spaniels at Town Beach parking lot, often pausing to chat with a new friend.
Bruce was a skilled cribbage player who never missed a point. He was a self-admitted “news addict” and a history buff. He relished a good alternative history book (e.g., Harry Turtledove). He was also a fan of classical and folk music and had a sweet tooth for anything-lemon dessert. He and Meryden loved being a part of the Sandwich Community and attended St John’s Episcopal Church.
Bruce was a wonderful and kind human being who made friends easily and was a good listener and conversationalist. He often had a joke or funny story to share and his laughter would always rise to his eyes. He will be dearly missed.
In addition to his wife Meryden, he leaves four children, Donna Hartshorn, Eric Hartshorn and his wife Meraly, Elizabeth Hartshorn, and Chris Hartshorn and his wife Linda. Additionally, Bruce leaves four stepchildren, Mark Hartley, Shawn-Ann Schafler, Dana-Lyn Hartley and her husband Lon, and Matthew Hartley. Bruce had eleven grandchildren Taylor, Thomas, and Anitza Hartshorn; Ben and Simone Schafler, Allison Hartley, Heather Bryant and Salem, Levi, Celeste and Ari Hartley, and one great granddaughter, Lydia Webb.
He was predeceased by his parents, his former wife Elizabeth (Paris) Hartshorn, and his two sisters, Donna Arruda and Ellen Shea.
A graveside service will be held at 10:15 AM, Monday, November 28th, 2022 at the National Cemetery Cape Cod located at Connery Ave, Bourne, MA. A brief reception will follow in the parish hall at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 159 Main Street, Sandwich, MA.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Sandwich Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1824 Sandwich, MA 02563.