Bruce Roy Hartshorn of Sandwich, MA 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. Bruce was born in Brockton, and grew up in West Bridgewater, MA.

Bruce was trained as a psychiatric nurse and also earned a Bachelor’s degree. He served two years in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He worked at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution, Bridgewater State Hospital until his retirement in 1991. Afterwards, Bruce worked part-time at the New Bedford Crisis Center.

Later in retirement, Bruce worked summers at the Dexter Grist Mill in Sandwich and volunteered at the Sandwich Food Pantry where he made many friends.

Bruce enjoyed entertaining in his back yard, and grilled the best garlic burgers. He loved lemon desserts, sunrises and sunsets, and walking his dog at Town Beach parking lot, often pausing to chat with a new friend. Bruce was a skilled cribbage player, avid reader, and history buff. He is dearly missed.

In addition to his wife Meryden, Bruce leaves four children: Donna Hartshorn, Eric Hartshorn and his wife Meraly, Elizabeth Hartshorn, and Chris Hartshorn and his wife Linda, and four stepchildren: Mark Hartley, Shawn-Ann Schafler, Dana-Lyn Hartley and her husband Lon, and Matthew Hartley. Bruce has 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.

Bruce 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 Monday, November 28th at 10:15am at National Cemetery located at Connery Ave, Bourne, MA. A reception will follow at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 159 Main Street, Sandwich.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Sandwich, MA Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1824 Sandwich, MA 02563