NEW BEDFORD — Bruce Andrews Borden, much loved husband and father, died October 17, 2011 after a long illness.
Born June 9, 1926, in Saint Luke's Hospital, New Bedford, Bruce was the younger son of the late Milton E. Borden and Florence A. Borden. He is predeceased by a brother, Milton E. Borden, Jr. He is also first cousin of Priscilla Borden Sperry of Guilford, CT.
Bruce grew up in New Bedford, but spent his childhood summers in New Hampshire on Jolly Island, Lake Winnipesaukee.
It was there, at the age of twelve, while fishing on the Jolly Island wharf, that he met his wife, Joyce Ellen Chandler. Joyce, whose family kept a cabin on a neighboring island, had rowed over to meet the U.S. Mail Boat, and Bruce offered her assistance in landing her craft. Joyce still recalls thinking that she had never met such a polite young man. They were married in 1949 and shared their love of the lake and one another ever since.
Following graduation from New Bedford High School in 1944, Bruce entered the Maine Maritime Academy, receiving his deck midshipman diploma in 1946. Upon enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1946, Bruce served as an ensign on the aircraft carrier USS Midway. He later joined the Naval Reserve serving as a Junior Lieutenant.
After discharge from the Navy, Bruce enrolled at Dartmouth College, where, in 1950, he received both his Bachelor of Arts degree from the college and his MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration. It was while he was studying in Hanover that he and Joyce married. After residing for several years in Hanover, New Hampshire then Fairhaven, MA, Bruce and Joyce eventually settled for good in Padanaram Village, South Dartmouth.
After graduate school, Bruce returned to New Bedford to join his father in the insurance firm of Goddard and Borden. There he worked for nearly fifty years, first with his father, then with his son, Jonathan, eventually heading what became the Borden Insurance Agency for more than two decades.
Bruce gave generously of his time and resources. He served as a Dartmouth Town Meeting member for more than a decade. He acted as president of the Bush Street School PTA. He served as a trustee of the Anthony Beach Association and the New Bedford Port Society. He long stood on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank of New Bedford.
Bruce was never one to sit about. He was a skilled woodworker who erected several cabins for the Winnipesaukee camps and crafted furniture for his home and toys for his children. He loved to fix things. He also loved the outdoors, enjoying yard work, bicycling, sailing, volleyball and tennis. Bruce and Joyce traveled extensively. He was an elegant skier, a sport he pursued from his teens until well into his seventies. He and Joyce were also longtime members of the Jolly Lobbers tennis group and the Seahorse League bowlers. They enjoyed bicycle trips with their friends.
Bruce was also a music lover. As a youth he played the trumpet and flute. Then, for over four decades, he sang in the choir of the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth.
He backed his love of our nation's natural beauty with donations to conservancy causes and by establishing a tree farm on the slopes of Plymouth Mountain in NH.
But Bruce's main recreation remained the camps on Lake Winnipesaukee. It was to these family nests that he devoted much of his leisure time and energy, especially in retirement. He and Joyce eventually acquired a second home on the Lake Winnipesaukee mainland, which has served as a respite from bad summer weather, a ski lodge in winter, and a happy gathering place for children, grandchildren and beloved corgis.
Bruce was an honest and kind man. He always kept a positive outlook and possessed a bright sense of humor.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce; his three children: daughter, Nancy B. Ingersoll and husband, Jonathan of Cambridge Springs, PA; son, Richard C. Borden and wife, Mira Davidovski of Manila, Philippines; son, Jonathan B. Borden and wife, Kathleen of Dartmouth, MA; as well as seven grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth memorial fund.
Calling hours: Friday 4pm - 7pm at Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., New Bedford. Funeral Service: Saturday 11AM at the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, 17 Middle St., South Dartmouth. Private Burial: New Bedford Rural Cemetery.