Bruce Ulfsax

It was announced today that 73-year-old Bruce Ulfsax of Norton Shores became a free agent on Thursday March 20, 2008, and has signed on with the Angels in the Outfield Baseball Club of the Eternal Game League. Bruce had been on the Disabled List at Lakeland Regional Hospital for the last 45 days. It's unknown when we might see him take the field again, however sources have revealed Ulfsax might sit back and keep an eye on things to make sure the members of his team continue to live their lives to their finest potential. Ulfsax started learning about his favorite team, the Detroit Tigers, at an early age. He fondly recalled trips to Tiger Stadium and Comerica Park, where he saw the Tigers win two pennants. Bruce made his final appearance at the Detroit Tigers Fantasy Baseball Camp in Lakeland, Florida in February of this year. While age and arthritis forced him to use a pinch runner, Bruce would take his turn in the batting rotation and play right field every other inning. Bruce enjoyed talking ball with retired Tigers Camp coaches, Willie Horton, Dan Petry, Al Kaline, Ike Blessitt, and Darrel Evans. Bruce was a regular at Joker Marchant Field in Lakeland during most of his retirement to watch the Tigers at Spring Training. Members of Bruce's team include his wife of nearly fifty years, Betty (Marks); sons, Mike (Jody) Ulfsax of Roosevelt Park, Eric (Kary) Ulfsax of Hope Mills, North Carolina; and daughter, Kristi (Dave) Eigenauer of Norton Shores. Bruce also managed his minor league grandkids, Matthew, Andrew, and Adam Ulfsax, Amanda and Karly Ulfsax, and Chance and Camden Eigenauer. Bruce was present for most of the grandkids events, sometimes watching the beginning of a game at one field, and watching the end of a different game at another field or hockey rink. Bruce's parents, Carl and Juanita Ulfsax, preceded him in death. Bruce was a US Army veteran and was employed by the Michigan Employment Security Commission for 33 years as Manager of Grand Haven and Muskegon offices. He was very active in the AMBUC's Business Club, a member of the Vikings Linne Lodge, and was instrumental in forming the Mona Shores Athletic Boosters Club. His summers in Michigan consisted of golf (including one hole-in-one), watching baseball, "working" as a Park Ranger for Norton Shores Parks and Recreation Department, and enjoying every minute of his 20 years of retirement with his family and friends. A special thank-you to Florida friends, Bob and Eva Waffle of Palentine Bridge, New York for their constant assistance during this difficult time. Bob and Bruce spent many years as golf partners in Florida. FUNERAL SERVICES will be held 11 AM, Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at The Walburn Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. VISITATION with Bruce's family will be 2-4 and 7-9PM, Tuesday. MEMORIAL TRIBUTES in memory of Bruce to the Mona Shores High School Baseball program will be greatly appreciated.