Obituary: Bruce Earley, 77, of Middlebury

Bruce H. Earley, 77, of Middlebury, died in the presence of his loving family on Friday, February 10, 2012, at Vitas Innovative Hospice Care of St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury. He was the beloved husband of Toni (Tranquillo) Earley.

Earley was born in Salem, Mass., on August 6, 1934, son of the late Willard and Emma (Stanley) Earley.

Earley was a graduate of Mount Herman Prep School in Northfield, Mass., class of 1952. He received his bachelor’s of science degree from Tufts University in Medford, Mass., in 1956. He was a mechanical engineer for Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford for 23 years.

Earley enjoyed skiing, hiking and boating and was a World War II history buff. He was an avid NASCAR racing fan.

Besides his wife Toni of 33 years, he leaves his son, Bruce H. Earley Jr. and his wife Julie of Black Diamond, Wash.; three daughters, Laurel Earley of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Dana Mitchell and her husband Michael of Dover, N.H.; Laura Earley of Middlebury; two brothers, John Earley and his wife Karen; and Wayne Earley and his wife Susan, all of Beverly Mass.; his sister Carol Adams of Beverly Mass.; six grandchildren, Westley and Kovi Richardson, Douglas and Annie Earley, and Jack and Owen Mitchell and a 99-year-old uncle, Clarence Early of Waterford.

The family would like to thank the staff at Vitas Innovative Hospice Care at St. Mary’s Hospital for the kindness and compassion they showed Earley during his stay.

Calling Hours: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury.

Funeral Mass: 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20 at St. John of the Cross Church in Middlebury. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the church.

Burial: Private and at the convenience of the family.

Memorial Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Earley to either:

• Vitas Innovative Hospice Care at St Mary’s Hospital, 52 Franklin St., Waterbury, CT 06706

• Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708