In Memory Of
Bruce Macalpine
1951
2013
Bruce Macalpine
June 6, 1951 — October 5, 2013
Bruce James MacAlpine, 62, of Fairborn died unexpectedly in Centerville on Saturday, October 5, 2013. Bruce was born on June 6, 1951 in Weymouth, Massachusetts to Lillian Theresa (Labadie) MacAlpine and James Gillian MacAlpine, Jr.
Bruce grew up in a military family, living in many different locations across the United States and Germany. In 1969 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal before being honorably discharged in 1970. He followed his family to Dayton, Ohio and graduated from Stebbins High School in 1972.
In 1974 he married Glenda Lear of Dayton. Bruce and Glenda had three great kids: Amanda, Agatha, and Matthew. While the marriage ended, Bruce's love for his children never did.
Bruce's working life took him in many different directions. At various times he was a welder, a police officer, a salesman of head shop paraphernalia, a manager of an antiques store, an employee of the former state psychiatric hospital in Dayton, and finally a long distance truck driver.
Even after his health began to decline Bruce continued to display a strong entrepreneurial streak, seeing creative opportunities that eluded others. And if those opportunities infrequently brought him success, his optimism and imagination were always present; he would dream dreams until the end of his life.
Bruce was proud of his ancestral heritage, treating all who would listen to unique imitations of Scottish and Irish accents. He loved to make things with his hands, producing colorful and intricate embroideries on denim for his friends. He knew his way around a wood shop, finding great enjoyment in his final years in making furniture, art works, and toys.
Bruce was passionate about gems and minerals and became a self-taught expert, never happier than when he was digging in the mud for the next great treasure. For many years he was a caver exploring the underground world of Kentucky, putting him (and others) in situations that made even non-claustrophobics blanche.
He was a natural gardener, a trait he inherited from his mother. Bruce was proud of his skills in martial arts. And he was an ardent and frequent opponent of national drug policy, convinced of its utter uselessness and waste.
Bruce was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian T. MacAlpine.
He is survived by his children Amanda Wright (Nicholas) of Xenia, Agatha MacAlpine (Johnny) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Matthew MacAlpine of Xenia; his father, Lt. Col. James G. MacAlpine, Jr. (Ruth) of Longwood, Florida; his siblings Heath MacAlpine (Joyce) of Centerville, William MacAlpine (Linda) of Dayton, Catherine MacAlpine of Boston, Massachusetts, and Christopher MacAlpine (Mary) of Boston, Massachusetts; his niece Bailey Lyall (Anthony) of Camden; his nephews Steven MacAlpine of Columbus and Lucas Rodriguez of Centerville; and his granddaughter Natalia MacAlpine of Xenia. Bruce is also survived by his good and loyal friends John Hickman and Ed Smyth.
Arrangements for Bruce's cremation were capably handled by Newcomer Funeral Home of Beavercreek.
His children will leave his ashes in the Colorado mountains he loved in the spring.
A celebration of Bruce's life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 2 at 6 Spring Street in Spring Valley, Ohio.
All of his many friends are welcome.
To leave a special message for the family, please click on the Share Memories button above.
Bruce grew up in a military family, living in many different locations across the United States and Germany. In 1969 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal before being honorably discharged in 1970. He followed his family to Dayton, Ohio and graduated from Stebbins High School in 1972.
In 1974 he married Glenda Lear of Dayton. Bruce and Glenda had three great kids: Amanda, Agatha, and Matthew. While the marriage ended, Bruce's love for his children never did.
Bruce's working life took him in many different directions. At various times he was a welder, a police officer, a salesman of head shop paraphernalia, a manager of an antiques store, an employee of the former state psychiatric hospital in Dayton, and finally a long distance truck driver.
Even after his health began to decline Bruce continued to display a strong entrepreneurial streak, seeing creative opportunities that eluded others. And if those opportunities infrequently brought him success, his optimism and imagination were always present; he would dream dreams until the end of his life.
Bruce was proud of his ancestral heritage, treating all who would listen to unique imitations of Scottish and Irish accents. He loved to make things with his hands, producing colorful and intricate embroideries on denim for his friends. He knew his way around a wood shop, finding great enjoyment in his final years in making furniture, art works, and toys.
Bruce was passionate about gems and minerals and became a self-taught expert, never happier than when he was digging in the mud for the next great treasure. For many years he was a caver exploring the underground world of Kentucky, putting him (and others) in situations that made even non-claustrophobics blanche.
He was a natural gardener, a trait he inherited from his mother. Bruce was proud of his skills in martial arts. And he was an ardent and frequent opponent of national drug policy, convinced of its utter uselessness and waste.
Bruce was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian T. MacAlpine.
He is survived by his children Amanda Wright (Nicholas) of Xenia, Agatha MacAlpine (Johnny) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Matthew MacAlpine of Xenia; his father, Lt. Col. James G. MacAlpine, Jr. (Ruth) of Longwood, Florida; his siblings Heath MacAlpine (Joyce) of Centerville, William MacAlpine (Linda) of Dayton, Catherine MacAlpine of Boston, Massachusetts, and Christopher MacAlpine (Mary) of Boston, Massachusetts; his niece Bailey Lyall (Anthony) of Camden; his nephews Steven MacAlpine of Columbus and Lucas Rodriguez of Centerville; and his granddaughter Natalia MacAlpine of Xenia. Bruce is also survived by his good and loyal friends John Hickman and Ed Smyth.
Arrangements for Bruce's cremation were capably handled by Newcomer Funeral Home of Beavercreek.
His children will leave his ashes in the Colorado mountains he loved in the spring.
A celebration of Bruce's life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 2 at 6 Spring Street in Spring Valley, Ohio.
All of his many friends are welcome.
To leave a special message for the family, please click on the Share Memories button above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bruce Macalpine, please visit our flower store.
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