Condolence From Alfred Parish Church

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 19:48:26 EST

We are keeping all the Graber family in our prayers herre at Alfred Parish Church. We are saddened by the death of your loved one, Bruce. May Gods peace be with you all. (Bruce Burnham, Pastor)

Condolence From Michael MacDonald

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 15:47:09 EST

Please know that your family is in my family's prayers. Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss. I have many fond memories of Bruce and he was a lifelong friend to me. He will be missed by all.

Condolence From jwDOTorg

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 12:53:49 EST

jw. org

Condolence From Anca Voicu

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 14:36:20 EST

Dear Giulia, My condolences for your loss. I know it's a very difficult obstacle to surpass but the love and support of friends and family around you will help you overcome this. My deepest sympathies, Anca Voicu

Condolence From Menelik Wright

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 12:23:31 EST

Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss of dear Bruce.Death is a difficult subject to discuss and bear.The Bible reveals that it is God's purpose to restore the dead to life by means of a resurrection to a paradise earth,where sickness and death will be no more.(Acts 24:15)Knowing that our deceased love ones in God's memory are merely asleep in death and awaiting a resurrecton can give us comfort to carry on with life. Think of the happiness you will feel when you see Bruce again.

Condolence From Menelik Wright

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 12:21:10 EST

Condolence From caroline Pinto

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 17:29:29 EST

Julia, We were so shocked and saddened to hear the news of Bruce's passing. Your family in Toronto is devastated for your loss. Our hearts and prayers are with you and your loved ones at this very sad and difficult time. We are so sorry that we are not there with you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. lots of love Helene, Caroline,Milton Jerry, Cindy, Sam and Isabelle.

Story shared: Wingman

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 14:17:02 EST

I first met Bruce in the late spring of 1992 when I was a newly winged Flight Surgeon stationed at the Naval Air Station South Weymouth, MA. At that time, I was residing in an apartment in downtown Boston after having recently moved from Pensacola, Florida. On the night I first met Bruce, I was in a Club called “Avenue C” located on Boylston Street in downtown Boston. Standing alone in that Club, I realized that it was going to be a lot more difficult for me to strike up a conversation with some women given the fact that I was flying solo. Having completed Navy flight training, and seeing the environment that I had found myself in, I knew I needed a wingman. It was then that I saw Bruce standing there in the Club by himself as well. As you can all imagine, he was clean-cut, physically fit, well groomed, and approachable. I introduced myself, and soon found out that Bruce was prior Navy. For those who may not remember, Bruce was a graduate of the Navy’s Nuclear Power School, which is one of the most challenging of the Navy’s training programs. He agreed with my assessment of our Club “situation” and signed on as my wingman. Bruce and I would go on to fly many missions together during my 4 ½ years in Boston. We donned our tuxedos and attended many of Boston’s formal events such as the Snow Ball, Emerald Ball, etc. We would joke that if you wanted to meet a girl at the Ball just hang out near the dessert table because that was where all the women were. Bruce also got me to sign up as an active member of Boston’s chapter of the Make-A-Wish foundation; an organization whose mission it is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer. It is ironic that cancer would eventually take Bruce’s life too. Bruce was a big roller blade enthusiast. Growing up in Florida, I had roller skated in the past but I had never ice skated or rollerbladed before. Bruce offered to teach me. It was a humbling few hours for me but Bruce patiently taught me well and kept my fragile ego intact; even as many a fit young lady rollerbladed past me as I stumbled along the sidewalk beside the Charles River. Bruce was very proud of his sisters and he would often tell me how beautiful his younger sisters were. When he would say this I would think, why doesn’t he ever offer to introduce me to any of them? I would laugh to myself musing that I guessed that he could envision me as a good friend but as a potential brother-in-law, not so much. Along with his family, Bruce was very proud of being from Maine. He and I went to a few Harvard versus University of Maine College Hockey games together and he would root for the Black Bears and I would cheer on the Crimson. I think growing up in Maine fueled Bruce’s interest in the environment and nature. He was very passionate about environmental issues and was a strong advocate for environmental causes. Always the adventurer, he was proud of the fact that he, and the crew of his nuclear submarine, had traveled to the North Pole. I did make it back to Boston to see Bruce in the late 1990’s when he was still living in an apartment in Cambridge. We hit some of our old hangouts together including “Avenue C.” He would later inform me that he had “found the one” and was getting married. I have never met Bruce’s wife, Giulia, but I imagine she must be quite a lady. Bruce knew what he wanted in a spouse and was willing to wait a long, long time to find her. Regrettably, I never made it back to Boston to see Bruce or meet his wife. It was the same old excuses many close friends give; I was busy with my career, coaching my own children’s youth sports, traveling with work and the Navy Reserves, etc. Bruce and I remained in contact mostly via Christmas cards though we did occasionally call each other a few times out of the blue. Once Bruce called me to congratulate me on my promotion to Navy Captain as Bruce knew, after having served his time in the fleet, that that would have been a big deal to me. Bruce called me unexpectedly last month. There was no self-pity in his voice when he told me about his diagnosis of colon cancer and his long fought battle against it. He mentioned that this year, he had not received the annual family Christmas letter that I write and he was sheepishly asking for a copy to read. It was heartwarming to hear him tell me how much he had enjoyed reading my Christmas letters over the years and he went on to recall several of my children’s escapades that I had previously written about. I did send a family Christmas photo and this year’s Christmas letter, along with some “back issues,” as well. I neglected to follow-up with him to see how he liked this years’ Christmas letter because I just assumed I could do it tomorrow. I now know that last month Bruce didn’t call me to say hello, he was calling me to say goodbye. I feel very guilty about that. And as I write this note, I sadly realize, that tomorrows are never guaranteed. I didn’t know that the last time we talked would indeed be the last time we could talk. In discussing his cancer experience, Bruce repeatedly said that he had received the best medical care possible and that his prognosis was good. In hind sight, I think Bruce knew his situation was direr but he wouldn’t have wanted me, or anyone else, to worry about him. He also said that he was very grateful to have Giulia’s mother staying with them long-term as his caretaker. In addition, he was grateful to his employer, MIT, in allowing him to telecommute and being respectful of his illness. Having spent the last 20 years as a Physician, I have always been amazed to hear people make comments, as if it is somehow the individual’s fault, that the person with cancer could have been able to prevent their disease if they had just chosen to do something different; i.e. eat healthier, exercise more, avoid red meats, etc. Bruce’s body was his temple. I may have eaten a few “processed” foods in my life but Bruce rarely if ever did. And people also sometimes imply that this person or that person was “a real fighter” as if the person who fails to defeat their cancer was not a fighter. Bruce was a “real” fighter. He loved life and wanted to live. He fought for all of us. It’s just that not all cancers are curable; like not all cancers are preventable. I am so very grateful for Bruce’s younger sister calling me the day Bruce passed away; it was Saturday February 22, 2014. I know it was very difficult for her to do so. I have never met her but would like to meet her someday. I remember Bruce always being very protective of his younger sisters. I was touched when she said Bruce had a relatively short list of important people to contact in case he died and that I was on that list. My short time in Boston would not have been the same without his friendship and companionship. Like many an old fashioned Hollywood movie, sometimes the bad guy (cancer) wins. I believe it was God’s will to call Bruce home much earlier than the rest of us would have liked. But someday, I’ll see my friend again. Someday, I’ll be His wingman. Michael MacDonald, DO, MPH, MBA Michael.MacDonald@Health-First.org H: 321-953-3693

Condolence From Greg Olivier

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 13:29:41 EST

To Giulia and the Graber family - I am so sorry for our loss on Saturday. Bruce was a lifelong friend. While we could go years without talking, when we connected it felt that nothing had changed. I have fond memories of middle school, high school, scouts, and class reunions thanks to Bruce. I think of him every morning and evening when I take the vitamin regimen he "prescribed" me several years ago! Giulia - he loved you deeply and you made him very happy. Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do for any of you. Greg

Photo shared: Graber,_Bruce.jpg

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 16:39:09 EST

Book of Memories for Bruce E. Graber

Condolence From Alfred Parish Church

Condolence From Michael MacDonald

Condolence From jwDOTorg

Condolence From Anca Voicu

Condolence From Menelik Wright

Condolence From Menelik Wright

Condolence From caroline Pinto

Story shared: Wingman

Condolence From Greg Olivier

Photo shared: Graber,_Bruce.jpg