[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 113 (Monday, July 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                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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