Bruce Gray

A perfect day for Bruce Gray included a few hours fishing at one of his favorite spots where he'd make a few good catches. After calling it a day, he'd head back to the campsite to enjoy a good meal in the wide open spaces, and then enjoy kicking back and relaxing around a warm campfire with those that meant the most to him. Bruce enjoyed the simple things in life. He never asked for much, and was content with a life well lived. Dearly missed, he will be lovingly remembered. Though tensions continued to flare overseas, the 1950s marked a quieter, more stable time in America as the baby boom found families moving to newly developed suburbs. And with the increasing number of women entering the workforce, the introduction of the TV dinner was a welcome addition in their busy lives. While Elvis Presley was ushering in his career, the U.S. Supreme Court ushered out segregation, deeming it unconstitutional in all U.S. public schools. For Hanley and Rosie Frances (Slowick) Gray of Muskegon, Michigan, a most welcome event in the new year of 1954 included the birth of their son, Bruce Hanley on January 8. The second of eventually 11 children, their bustling household included his brothers, William, Mike, twins, Herbert and Hobert, and John, along with his sisters, Susan, Linda, Brenda, Sandra and Terrie. From early on Bruce learned to appreciate the things he had. Extravagances were rare growing up with such a large family, but he enjoyed all the adventures and experiences typical of a young boy for the times. His father, a hard working man, provided for their family with his work at the Brunswick Corporation while his mother worked at the Occidental Hotel along with raising the children. During his younger years, Bruce's family moved around a bit but he spent most of his youth growing up in the Spring Lake area. Even then fishing was his favorite pastime. Along with his best buddy, Marty, Bruce loved fishing in nearby Spring Lake, often times with his dad's fishing boat. Bruce attended the area schools and enjoyed the friendships of several good friends. At the time, 18 was the legal drinking age in Michigan, and it was during his senior year when he and a few of his friends began frequenting a few neighborhood pubs, like The Clover Bar. While spending some time there one night, he met a young woman named Nancy Kesteloot. Immediately hitting it off, they began a dating relationship and Bruce soon fell in love with Nancy, a single mother, and her three year old son, Randy. After dating for six months, the two were happily married on December 30, 1972, just prior to Bruce's 19th birthday. Nancy's house on Leahy Street in Muskegon Heights became their home together, and it became the place where Bruce would live for the rest of his days. He took on the role of fatherhood, loving Randy as if he were his own, and loved his new family dearly. In 1973 their home soon included a little brother for Randy when they were blessed with the birth of their son, Marty, named after Bruce's close, boyhood friend. Daughter, Melissa came along in 1978 which completed their happy family. Bruce found work at Anderson-Bolling in Spring Lake as a machine operator, and remained there for the next ten years until the company relocated. He then moved on to Noreen Pattern, a foundry in Muskegon, but with the sagging economy, he was one of many who found themselves laid off. Although he wasn't too fond of his work there, it was a job that helped him provide for his family. Bruce eventually began working for Freelance, a property maintenance company. He liked his job and remained working there until his back began giving him trouble. The pain and challenges he suffered with his back led Bruce to begin receiving disability. As a family, Bruce and Nancy, along with the three kids, enjoyed tent camping which they did often. They went on trips all over the country, including Niagara Falls, road trips to Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Minnesota. They especially enjoyed fun-filled times camping in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Although the children accompanied them on many of their trips, when they grew up Bruce and Nancy continued to enjoy camping on their own as a couple. Among the many simple pleasures Bruce enjoyed, his love for fishing remained, especially fishing with Nancy while camping up north. They had a small boat for a time and loved fishing in the local lakes and rivers near Muskegon, too. He also enjoyed swimming, and bowling was a sport he spent time doing as well. Most of all, Bruce simply liked helping people. He was always a good neighbor, and never hesitated helping someone with snow blowing, cutting their grass or lending a hand with a project. He truly loved the close knit neighborhood they lived in, and the folks who lived nearby. In October of 2010 Bruce was unfortunately diagnosed with lung cancer. He was soon placed on needed oxygen, and fought the disease vigorously with radiation and chemotherapy. He and Nancy even attended a revival meeting with his sister where they prayed for a welcome miracle. The treatments were very rough on his body, and just as they thought things were under control, it was discovered the cancer had spread. Nancy did her very best caring for him, all while keeping up with fulltime employment. Hospice was eventually brought in to help, but sadly, on Wednesday, August 24, 2011, Bruce passed away. At the age of 57, Bruce Gray left those he loved, but his memory will forever remain in the hearts of those he leaves behind. SURVIVORS: His wife of 38 years, Nancy; sons: Randy (Heather) Kenney of Muskegon, Marty (Suzanne) Gray of Muskegon Heights; daughter, Melissa (Leo) Bissel of Muskegon Heights; ten grandchildren; sisters: Susan (Louie) Orshal, Linda (Randy) Westedt, Brenda (Herman) Scholte, Sandra Gray, Terrie (Isaias) Reyes; brothers: William (Debbie) Gray, Mike (Rosemary) Gray, Herbert Gray, Hobert (Bonnie) Gray. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandchildren, Brittany Smith and Charles Conibear; brother, John, and nephew, Keith Westedt. MEMORIAL SERVICE: Monday, August 29, 2011, 2:00 PM with visitation one hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. Ronald DePung officiating. MEMORIAL: Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a favorite memory of Bruce, submit a photo and to sign his online guest book.