This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Andy Bruce. We invite and encourage you to post your own memories, stories, pictures and prayers.
Andy was a 2007 graduate of Strath Haven High School in Wallingford, PA and a 2011 graduate of Colgate University (A.B., History). He also spent time studying at Trinity College, Dublin and the University of Pennsylvania. At the time of his passing, Andy was pursuing his Master's Degree in Education. In September of 2013, Andy married his college classmate, Alexandra (Alex) Marshall. Andy relished his time with children, including his experiences as camp counselor, tutor, Big Brother and coach. Andy is survived by his wife, Alex, his parents, Scott and Gigi, his sisters Gillie and Sarah, his brother-in-law Will and his nieces Lucy and Claire.
A memorial service will be held at Saint David's Episcopal Church (763 Valley Forge Road, Wayne, PA) on Saturday, June 2nd, beginning at 2pm with a reception to follow.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, a scholarship fund has been created in Andy's name at the summer camp where he worked. Funds will be used to finance tuition for campers and their families that cannot otherwise afford the cost.
Checks can be made out to: "BB&N"
In Support of the Andy Bruce Camp Scholarship Fund
80 Gerry's Landing Road
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tributes
Leave a tributeI'm singing off key and dancing for your birthday today!!!
Laurie Ernst
We hadn't been in touch in a few years, but being able to count Andy as an old friend going back all the way to WES meant a lot to me.
I'll always cherish the memories of watching the Flyers run to the Stanley Cup Finals together in the spring of 2010, complete with Andy's great TV appearance during the Bruins series.
There are no words for such a loss. While I have only known Andy just shy of a full year he was a very close treasured friend and true blessing in my life. He could always make you laugh through his obsessive sports knowledge, illogical loyalty to all things Philly and wit. So smart and generous for others. He will be missed every day. He was incredibly blessed with such a loving and supportive family all of whom meant the absolute world to him. My prayers, support and love to you all.
This particular Saturday had a different feel to it. The then Widener head coach, Bill Zwaan, asked if I would bring President Bruce to the football locker room after the game if we had won.
President Bruce showed up that day with not only Judy but a handsome (cute, charming, television-star looks) young boy named Andrew. Andrew had full run of the President's Box (Grandad's Room), had made several runs to the dessert table, charmed all of the ladies present but watched the game intently.
On that hot and humid day Widener FINALLY won on the last play of a double overtime game. Andrew accompanied the President to the locker room, and along with Grandad, he received hugs, cheers and the game ball.
When I asked what he thought about being surrounded by all the big football players, he replied: "They smelled bad!"
Pure eight-year-old honesty!
-Mike Mahoney
We are so deeply sorry to learn of the loss of Andy. We have no words to express how saddened we are for you and all of your family and friends. Please accept our sincere condolences and know that we are thinking of you and your family at this sorrowful time.
Fondly,
The Bredt's
One of the all-time great people that I ever had the opportunity to teach. He was kind, compassionate, and a true gentleman. I will always remember all that he gave to our school community. You will never be forgotten, buddy...
When Great Trees Fall
by Maya Angelou
When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.
When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.
Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance, fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of
dark, cold
caves.
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
― Maya Angelou
We will miss your beautiful heart Andy and the way you spread goodness in the world.
We are better in so many ways because you existed in our lives.
I had no question Andy had what it would take to be a great addition to our camp staff, though I just did not realize how great of an addition he would be. He set the bar and then he raised the bar all summer long. His energy never wavered. His smile never dimmed. When I say it was a pleasure to work with him, it is with admiration for his joy, his compassion, his dedication, and his ability to bring a smile to children's faces throughout a long hot summer.
We, Janine and I, did a little happy dance once we got Andy to sign on to work in the BB&N After School Program after the summer was over. He was, of course, amazing with our BB&N kids and staff, kind, caring, energetic and fun. I am so glad that Andy came to BB&N and shared with us a little bit of himself. We are certainly the richer for it. He would have made an exceptional teacher.
Andy was a recipient of our Staff Spirit Award last summer and given that he embodied BB&N camp spirit and then took it to the next level (think dressing up as a shark, the Green Monster, Ella, and any other creation that he could get away with at camp) it is only fitting to rename the award "the Andy Bruce Spirit Award". His joy as an educator and a creative mentor to children will continue at BB&N to inspire our staff each year.
Much Love and prayers to the entire Bruce Family.
Colleen O'Connor, BB&N Director of Extended Year Services
My heart is breaking. I drove by WES the other day and memories of Andy came flooding back. I hope I told you this at the time - When I was the building sub, Andy came over from the high school to work with the kids. He was absolutely beloved by the teachers and especially by the kids. I was frequently assigned to work with a 4th grader (I think mainly to give his class and teacher a break). Despite my best efforts, I really struggled reaching this student. Then Andy started talking and playing basketball with him and for the first time he begin to respond to an adult. He really cared about pleasing Andy and it was magical to see. I know that there are so very many stories about Andy’s impact on our others. I hope that they provide some peace.
With Love,
Lyn
We are all so sorry for your loss. Please know that Andy’s humor and decency and empathy touched countless lives and quietly enriched each one of them.
All our love to you and your families,
The Piccins
Leave a Tribute
As a teacher, there are children that come into your life that are so very special, that they never leave your heart......that is Andy.
My deepest sympathies.
Though heartbroken for your unimaginable loss, remembering Andy instantly brought smiles to our faces. Andy’s welcoming and joyful personality touched our lives, particularly as a classmate, teammate and coach. Bryanna recollected their 5th grade talent show as the Jackson’s. Andy enthusiastically stepped up in the role as Janet Jackson and brought down the house with his performance! Rocco and all the Carzo's recall Andy’s many hockey games, both as a player and a coach. Andy’s love and enthusiasm for the sport was infectious and he supported and encouraged his teams, even when no longer playing himself. Daria and Mikaela recall Andy as a skilled, kind and supportive coach and most especially, Mikaela's wonderful memory of Andy as her first crush! Andy’s giving spirit was a gift to all. Sending our love and prayers of comfort to Andy’s beloved family.
The morning after my and Walker's wedding, Andy had to swing by my parents' house to drop off some of the groomsmen's suits. It was supposed to be a quick errand, especially since he was responsible for driving some friends home that day; friends who, after not hearing back from Andy for over an hour, were growing anxious. As they later found out, my dad had invited Andy inside to join the family for brunch that morning, and Andy had accepted. While his phone was buzzing in the background with missed calls, Andy was happily joking with and charming my family to the point where, since that day in 2014, whenever they’ve heard his name, they’ve always responded with, "Andy! We love Andy!!”
Andy did that a lot. He turned acquaintances into friends, and friends into family. I’ll never forget meeting him for the first time when he came to visit Walker at Davidson College in 2010, and being blown away by how close they were to each other. He was warm, and welcoming, and genuinely seemed to care about his friends so much. In fact, a couple months later, when Walker thought he needed to “convince” me to date him, he simply called Andy and handed the phone to me. Andy spent a *full* fifteen minutes regaling me with tales of Walker’s wondrousness. I couldn’t get a word in edgewise to tell him it wasn’t necessary; but, if I hadn’t been on board before, I’m sure I would have been after Andy stepped in.
Andy had boundless love for the people around him. He was a defacto brother to those boys whom he met in diapers and a once-in-a-lifetime friend to others who were lucky enough to meet him along the way; a proud sibling who bragged about his sisters and brother-in-law; an utterly and completely smitten uncle; an admiring son who emulated his parents in every way; and a devoted, adoring husband to Alex (or, as Andy would say, “a total babe”). He really, really, really loved Al.
This loss is immense and unimaginable and brings fresh waves of grief every day. I send my whole heart to the Bruce and Marshall families, as well as my sincere thanks for sharing Andy with all of us. We will love and miss him forever.