The publication is reproduced in full below:
OBSERVING THE PASSING OF BRUCE MacDONALD
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HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 11, 2022
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of dedicated community leader, Bruce MacDonald of New London, Connecticut. Mr. MacDonald, a devoted husband and father, passed away at the age of 78 on June 1, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born just down the road from New London in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1943 to Lemuel and Margaret MacDonald, Bruce was raised in a household that placed value on community service. Eager to understand and experience the larger world and serve his country, he enlisted in the Army before even graduating high school.
Upon the conclusion of his service, Bruce returned home to Rhode Island and enrolled at Johnson Wales College earning an associates degree. An easygoing, curious man at heart, he found his true calling as a news reporter. As someone who was never known to take the larger picture for granted, Bruce had a passion for advocating for the most disadvantaged. As a newsman, this meant that he became quickly known for disseminating a broader perspective and a sense of empathy amongst the public, crafting thoughtful, enlightening stories about groups of people living through hardship. A powerful, friendly voice for the powerless, Bruce took on career roles at several radio stations in Westerly, Rhode Island; Norwich, Connecticut; and Hartford, Connecticut before becoming an influential voice in newspapers, including The Norwich Bulletin, Groton News, The Day of New London and USA Today. His prodigious work and ubiquitous presence, made him a well-known, trusted media personality in much of Southeastern New England.
A man of adventure, Bruce still had a strong appreciation for the fundamentals of life. While reporting for The Day newspaper, Bruce met a colleague who would become the love of his life, Gail Braccidiferro. They married in Gail's getaway state, Vermont, in 1986, and soon after were grateful to bring a daughter, Cara, into the world. Family in hand, multiple worlds of opportunity collided for Bruce at that point in his life, as they then traveled to and lived outside of Washington, D.C., for a short stint while he worked on the World Wise Schools project for the US Peace Corps. While an exciting opportunity for Bruce, this was of course just one of many worldly-travel experiences for the family. Upon their return to Connecticut, Bruce transitioned to a new career in public media relations for community stakeholders within the region, first the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and then the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
Through both the nurturing of his family and informing the public, the capacity of Bruce's devoted nature was seemingly endless. There are further examples of Bruce's dedication, however, which existed through service to his community. From an early age, this included volunteering for the ambulance corps and Civil Air Patrol and running for local offices in his hometown. This penchant for community service followed him for the entirety of his life and throughout much of southeastern Connecticut--in both the coastal towns of Stonington and New London in which he lived, he was known for his active involvement in both communities and the region as a whole. In New London, his longtime adopted home, he was locally known to have volunteered at the Homeless Hospitality Center, served as a board member of the Thames River Heritage Park Foundation, a representative on the Eastern Connecticut Tourism Board, an organizer of the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival and an active member of the New London Rotary Club. The list goes on and on. Even into his final years as he charged into a battle with cancer, he served his hometown of New London undeterred as Secretary to the local Town Committee.
Madam Speaker, though we mourn his loss, the brightness that Bruce emulated into our lives will not part from us easily. Hardships were never able to defeat his unyielding optimism or his dedication to his community. And so, in an equal amount of respect toward Bruce and what his life meant for the town, we will not be overcome by the hardship that is his loss. His lasting impact will be remembered by thousands--
particularly his surviving family, namely, his wife Gail and daughter, Cara, of Middletown, Connecticut, who lovingly stayed by his side during his illness. I had the honor and privilege to hire Cara in my congressional office for a number of years, and through her, got a chance to know Bruce in his role as a parent and a keen advisor on issues of the day. He was beloved by my entire staff over the 16 years I have served in congress. While his legacy will not soon be forgotten, it is most proper that we extend his memory as a prime example of service to one's community and country. To that end, I ask that this chamber joins me in observing the passing of Bruce MacDonald, further setting his name and character into the permanence of the Congressional Record.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 113(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 113(2)
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