New Bedford – Bruce E. Rex, 67, of New Bedford, passed away on December 9, 2014 at St. Luke’s Hospital. He had cancer.
Born in New Bedford, son of the late Donald H. and Alice (Billington) Rex, Bruce graduated from Dartmouth High School and received a B.S. in Business Administration from Babson College. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1994, on active duty during the Vietnam War and then in the Naval Reserve.
Bruce worked for Rex Monumental Works, Inc. and managed the Fall River business office for many years. He was a past president of the New England Monument Dealers Association. Later, he owned and operated the Ferry Street Café in Fairhaven.
A lifelong area resident, Bruce was a dedicated member of the Abraham H. Howland, Jr. Masonic Lodge, a board member of the New Bedford Port Society, and a member of American Legion Post 166 in Fairhaven. In Fall River, he was active in the Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Fall River Symphony Society. He also served as a corporate director of the U.S.S. Massachusetts Memorial Committee. Bruce had lifelong passions for sailing, classical music and photography.
He is survived by siblings, Donald H. Rex, Jr., Nancy R. Earnheart, Thomas C. Rex, Susan R. Adams and Elizabeth Rex, as well as his aunt, Harriet Rex, a niece, nephews and many cousins.
There will be a graveside service at Padanaram Cemetery on Monday, December 15 at 1 p.m., followed by a reception at the Wamsutta Club in New Bedford at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bruce’s memory may be made to the Greater Fall River Symphony Society and the Battleship Cove Naval Heritage Museum. Arrangements are with the Wilson Chapel, 479 County Street, New Bedford (www.wilsonchapel.net).