Obituary: Bruce MacLean Walker, 78

Bruce MacLean Walker, 78, died at his home in Saunderstown on October 23, 2012, of lung cancer. His daughter Bonnie was at his side. Lillian (Kenyon) Walker, his wife of nearly fifty years, predeceased him in 2008.

Born in Oneco, Connecticut, Bruce lived most of his life in southern Rhode Island. The son of a Scots immigrant, he was proud of his ethnic heritage. During the Korean War, he served in the United States Navy, an experience which nurtured his life-long love of ships and the sea.

He also loved to make things and understand how things work. Trained in electronics, Bruce worked at Electric Boat and Tower Manufacturing. From the 1960s to the 1980s, he ran his own business, handcrafting colonial-style lamps and sconces from copper. His work was in high demand throughout South County, and for several years he operated a retail shop near Wickford Junction. He also spent many years working in security. He took a keen interest in current affairs, both national and local, and could often be found at a diner or coffee shop discussing politics.

In addition to his daughter, Bruce leaves behind two sisters, Nancy Bucknell of Columbia, South Carolina and Johann Myers of Oklahoma; a brother, Carleton Cook of Port Huron, Michigan; and an aunt, Priscilla De Restie, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

Bruce made an anatomical gift of his body to the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University where his donation will benefit the university’s medical student training program. Bruce's family is grateful to the hospice and assisted daily living staff who worked diligently and compassionately to enable him to spend his final months at home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904 (www.hhcri.org; 401-415-4217).

A memorial will be held in spring 2013 at a time and location to be determined. For more information, please email bhwalker3@yahoo.com.