NORWICH – Bruce S. Spellen, 86, of Norwich, passed away Thursday evening, Jan. 21, 2010 at his home.
Born in British Guiana in November of 1923, Bruce was the son of Claude and Ada Kramar Spellen. He and his family moved to the United States in 1925, settling in New York City where Bruce attended school and graduated from NYU with a BA in psychology. He moved to the Gilbertsville area in the early 1960s and relocated to Norwich in the mid-1970s, working for a time as a machinist for Simmonds Precision. On Feb. 24, 1979, in North Norwich, Bruce married Sandra Jackson. A dedicated member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Norwich, his greatest joy was in talking with others about his God, Jehovah; and having a share in the worldwide preaching work about the good news of God’s Kingdom. Bruce was a mild-mannered man who had a thirst for knowledge. Asked by anyone how he was, he would always reply, “I’m fine,” regardless. In later years, he became involved with computers, sharing his knowledge by cleaning and repairing units for others. Recently he had purchased a laptop for himself which included a webcam. Through this means, he was able to enjoy communications with family and friends out of the area. Bruce was an excellent listener, even if he seemed to be paying no attention, and was a man of careful cogitation.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Sandy, of Norwich; by his daughter and son, Suzanne R. Spellen of Brooklyn and Mark D. Spellen and wife Aina Lakis of New Rochelle. Also surviving are his grandson, Kristof Spellen; his half-sister Cecelia Landau of Port Orange, Fla.; and nieces and nephews. Bruce’s brother, Victor, had recently predeceased him.
Services for Bruce will be held at 7 p.m. Friday from the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Interment will be at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Please consider memorial contributions to Jehovah’s Witnesses, PO Box 529, Norwich NY 13815, checks made payable to “Jehovah’s Witnesses.”