James "Bruce" Green

James Bruce Green, 80, known to all just as Bruce, passed away peacefully on the morning of Monday, January 16, 2023. He fought as hard as he could toward the end and continually surprised us with his catlike 9-lives ability to come back from multiple sudden and long-term health issues. He was the beloved husband of Laurie (Osborne) Green for 59 years, whom he met while bagging groceries at the A&P and married in 1964. He will be dearly missed by his children, Derek Green, and his wife Angela of Avon, CT, Mishele (Green) Tarr, and her husband Mike, of Tolland CT, and Amanda (Green) Doughty, and her husband Justin, of Tolland CT. Bruce was an amazing Grampy to Levi, Emma, Kiera, Alex, Katrina and Harrison, and one of his favorite things was to cause general shenanigans with his grandkids whenever he could. He will also be missed by his sister, Lauren (Green) Bennett and her husband, Bob of East Haddam, CT. He is survived by many loving in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Bruce was born in New London, CT, on February 4, 1942 to the late James Jackson and Ferne (Piper) Green. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1960 and from the University of Connecticut in 1964. Bruce was an insurance specialist, working at Travelers for 24 years and then retiring from HUON after working there for 10 years. He was a military veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was a very active member of Community Baptist Church, in Manchester, CT, and taught Sunday School and was the youth group leader for many years. He volunteered at MACC and often stayed overnight in the shelter. While he was unemployed for a short while, he also helped to coordinate an unemployment support group in town.

Bruce loved practical jokes and April Fools’ Day was his National Holiday. He liked to bring excitement and mischief with him wherever he went. His sense of humor and poorly timed jokes and comments will be missed. He loved woodworking, especially creating wooden bird sculptures. He loved riding his John Deere lawn tractor, doing yard work and his pride and joy was tending to his garden. He loved the sun and was known to compete against his kids for the best tan contest over the summer. He loved sitting out on the back deck and undercooking meat on the grill. He played guitar and liked to cook, always coming up with strange and unique recipes. One of his most famous lines was “I’m not sleeping, I’m just resting my eyes.”

Bruce’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to his caregiver and friend, Francis Ackon. They send heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers, clinicians, and staff of Manchester Memorial Hospital’s Critical Care Unit and 2 East for their dedicated care and compassion. 

Visiting time will be scheduled for Wednesday, January 18th, at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester beginning at 12pm. Burial is to follow at East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Rebuilding Together Manchester or the Town of Manchester Memorial Tree Planting Program.