Bruce Ainsworth  1940 - 2016

March 7, 1940 - July 6, 2016

We learned of Bruce's passing from a Facebook post on July 7 by his son, Joe Ainsworth.

Friends and Family,

Yesterday morning, July 6, we found my father Bruce Ainsworth unresponsive. He had been in failing health for quite some time and was placed on hospice less than two weeks ago. He died in his sleep. He had not been able to enjoy life these last few years and it was exponentially worse these last few months. The family will memorialize him privately in the coming weeks. He is at rest now.

Here are some classmates' comments on learning of Bruce's passing.

Tom OBrien:   We are so sorry to receive such sad news. Even though we have not had physical contact with him, Bruce remained an integral part of the class of 58 remaining in touch with the class and supportive of us. One really terrific thing he did was send us a perfect copy of the 58 yearbook. I have great memories of his left handed baseball swing. May he rest in peace.

Peggy Leo:   So sorry to hear about Bruce.

David Stolte:   He would send me an email from time to time. He told me because of his health he didn't travel anymore. That is why he never made it to any of our reunions. Haven't heard from him lately. Now I know why. RIP Bruce.

Gail Scales:   So sorry to hear about another classmate's passing - Bruce was quiet but very kind. He was my date to the 7th grade dance - so many years ago!

Albert Fischbein: I remember Bruce as Skip, a good left handed hitter in baseball, and a good friend. I am very sorry to hear about his passing.

Bob Stokstad:  When Bruce lrarned that I was looking for a copy of the Yearbook to have scanned for our website, he sent me one of his.  How he happened to have an extra copy is an interesting story, as told here by Bruce.  When he learned that my own yearbook, with all the inscriptions in it 'disappeared' from the Pirate's Cove the night of our 50th reunion, he gave me that copy to keep.  I was really touched by his kindness.

Barbara Parente:  It's funny how I was thinking of Bruce recently. Bruce sat in front of me in Mr. Bristow's class. He was always so polite and had a great sense of humor. My sympathies to his family.

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We seem to know little about Bruce since our time in Pearl River.  In 2014 I exchanged e-mail with him about the year book and  learned that he lived in Euless, Texas, near the Dallas - Fort Worth airport.   He moved there around 1987. He and his wife Sharon had three children, Joe, William, and Linda, who live in the same area.  In 2014 Bruce said he was not in good health and seldom left the house, being on oxygen 24/7.   I have not been able to find an obituary.  I'm hoping that one of his children may respond with more information about Bruce and his family.  If anybody can contribute something or has a remembrance of Bruce to share, I hope they will e-mail me and I will include it here. Bob

1/14/2019  Found this family photo on Linda Ainsworth's FB page.   Sharon Chamberlain-Ainsworth  and Bruce Ainsworth in the foreground.  The photo itself is undated but could well be from 2014,  2015 or the first half of 2016.