Robert Bruce Corea passed peacefully on June 3rd, at Harbor Point in Centerville where he had been in hospice care for four months.
Bruce was a true son of Provincetown, born on July 6, 1943 at the Freeman Street home of his aunt. He loved his Town and life growing up on Cottage Street with his parents, the late Joseph and Florence (Fields) Corea, brother Joey and sister Donna. The three Corea kids were among a large group of West End kids who spent their summers in and around the water, swimming or diving for nickels and winters sledding or having snowball fights on Cottage Street. When they were older, the Corea boys and cousins would ice fish and go Ice sailing with Papa Joe Corea when Pilgrim Lake would freeze.
Bruce loved nature and hunting and fishing with his brother, Joey, his “other brother” John “JB” Browne, Bobby Palheiro, Charlie Souza, Donald Silva, Bob and Dick Henrique, Tommy Thomas, and his cousins Peter Cabral and David Nadeau. Bruce had a handsome, dimpled smile, wit, and a great sense of humor. He had a talent for landing a joke and sinking a pool shot. He was an amazing and generous cook who would often deliver his baked sea clams, chowder and lobster dishes to his friends and neighbors. He had many talents in addition to cooking. Bruce could build a brick or stone fireplace, create a driftwood basement (thanks to the late Milan Costa’s tips), and tend to his prolific organic vegetable garden. One of his notable skills was basketball. In his senior year at Provincetown High School, Bruce was Captain of the PHS team when the then Cape Cod Times tagged him “Radar Wrists” for his high-scoring side shots.
Following graduation, Bruce worked on the “Papa Joe “with his father and brother Joey until he was drafted into the Army. When he returned to Provincetown in the late 60’s, Bruce worked days lobstering with Al Silva on the “Christy Boy” and worked nights for Sal and Josephine DelDeo at Sal’s Restaurant. In 1973, Bruce and his wife, Betsi, whom he married in 1972, moved to their new home in Truro. Soon thereafter, Bruce worked with the Mass DPW in Yarmouth and Truro and would fish weekends on his lobster boat, “The Buster.” Pamet Harbor was a special place for Bruce where he shared his float with the late Dennis Mooney. When he retired, Bruce continued lobstering until 2014 when he sold his business and 800-pot license for health reasons.
In addition to Betsi, Bruce is survived by their daughter, Seanna Corea of North Truro, his daughter by a previous marriage, Erika Corea of Hyannis, his brother Joe and wife Marjorie (Gonsalves) Corea of North Truro, and his brother-in-law, Tom Prada of North Truro. Bruce was predeceased by his sister, Donna (Corea) Prada. He leaves his nieces and nephews: Shannon Corea of Truro, Abby Corea of Truro, Sherry Prada of Eastham, Amy (Prada) Rogers and her husband Michael of North Truro, Tommy Prada and his partner Stephanie Peters of Provincetown, and Todd Prada and his fiancé Grace Ryder-O’Malley of Provincetown. He leaves nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, twenty grandnieces/nephews, and his three Godchildren along with many Corea, Fields, and Domingues cousins along with many loving friends.
Due to the current health crisis and resulting government restrictions, Bruce’s burial will be private. He will be laid to rest beside his and Betsi’s son, Stephen Robert Corea, at the New South Truro Cemetery. A Funeral Mass with family and friends to honor Bruce’s life will be held, at a time and date to be announced.
If desired, contributions in Bruce’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center, 2095 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631.