On May 30, 2025, Bruce Blackman died surrounded by his wife, daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren. He was 84.
Bruce was born in Detroit, Mich. His parents soon moved to Berea, Ohio, which became Bruce’s childhood home. Bruce attended the Berea Commons School. When he was in fifth grade, he met a young girl named Judy Taylor. In 1959, Bruce graduated from Berea High School, where he excelled at tennis, basketball and playing the saxophone.
Following high school, Bruce worked at a local radio station and attended Ohio University. He graduated with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. On October 5, 1963, Bruce married Judy Taylor in a small ceremony at the Middleburg Heights Congregational Church. They would be married for 61 years.
In December 1966, Bruce and Judy welcomed their first child, Barbara. The next month, Bruce accepted a position as a junior engineer with IBM located in Essex Junction, Vt. Judy and their new baby flew to Vermont, and Bruce packed up their Volkswagen Beetle and drove to their new home. After a brief stint on Mills Avenue near the Burlington airport, in April 1968, Bruce and Judy built a new home in Birchwood Manor in Essex Center. Their second child, Heather, was born in 1971.
Bruce loved working at IBM, where he received multiple honors and recognition for his dedication. In 1973, Bruce took an assignment at IBM in Böblingen, Germany, relocating his young family to a foreign country for six months. In 1992, he was promoted to senior engineer. He retired in 2002.
Bruce’s interests and hobbies were numerous. He always wanted to try “something new,” and his curiosity about life and people meant that he rarely sat idle. He had a lifelong passion for ham radio. Following in his father’s footsteps, Bruce received his ham radio license from the FCC while in high school. The Ham Shack was one of the first rooms Bruce completed in their new house. After he convinced his wife that they should erect a large antenna in their backyard, Bruce (W1EJC) and his father (K8DPQ) and father-in-law (W8NZJ) talked frequently.
Having learned to sail on Lake Erie with his father-in-law, Bruce bought a Tanzer 22 sailboat and became a member of the Malletts Bay Boat Club. The Great Bear was a small boat, but Bruce and his wife insisted that the family could cruise Lake Champlain, often bringing along their dog, Tramp, for good measure. When returning to the mooring, he always came in hot, under sail and never by power. Judy was not a big fan of this approach. Bruce also had a Lightning that he raced (without much success, he would confess) during Thursday Night Races. He was also a member of the Lake Champlain Retriever Club, where he and his black Lab, Finnegan, impressed onlookers with their teamwork during blind retrievals.
Bruce loved racket sports. He was a lifelong tennis player who played at Ohio University and continued to play after college. He later played racquetball and paddleball (usually outside in the winter) and fell in love with the sport of handball, which became his favorite. Notably, he was ahead of his time in pickleball, winning the Vermont Senior Games State Championship in doubles and mixed doubles in 2012. He also loved playing bridge, mah-jongg, backgammon, cribbage and any game that a grandchild wanted to play.
Bruce was a faithful member of the First Congregational Church in Essex Junction, Vt. Over the decades, he served as deacon and treasurer. He also sang in the choir and Men at First.
After a close friend had a near-death experience, Bruce began donating blood and blood platelets to the American Red Cross. In 20 years, he donated more than 88 gallons.
Bruce was a member of a neighborhood group called PBS — which was short for Potters, Blackmans, Stowes. This small group of three couples were close friends for more than 50 years. Bruce was predeceased by Ellie Potter in 2023 and Gail Stowe in 2024.
Bruce was a dedicated fan of any sport played by his grandchildren. He rarely missed a game. As Hockey Grandparents, he and his wife, Judy, traveled throughout New England, Québec and Ontario to watch their games. When his grandson was playing for the Thunder hockey team, the team parents convinced Bruce to do Jell-O shots, which he enjoyed.
Bruce saved everything. He never ripped wrapping paper. He often would use a pocketknife to slice the tape with ridiculous precision. He could fix anything, and if it involved buying a new tool, even better. He never ordered chicken at restaurants and was always willing to share food off his plate. His favorite dessert was angel food cake.
Bruce was patient in manner and being. He was curious, honest and always interested in learning new things. He knew no strangers.
While his entire family mourns his death, Bruce’s absence is felt most profoundly by his wife, Judy. Bruce was always in her corner, a safe haven of love, patience and understanding. In return, Bruce would tell you that he relied on the certainty that Judy brought to decision-making in their lives. “Yes, dear,” he would say. He would also tell you that he lived in her world, not the other way around.
Bruce was predeceased by his parents, C.P. and Virginia, and his sister Bridget. Bruce is survived by his wife, Judy; his daughters, Barbara Blackman and Heather Blackman; his son-in-law, John Blackman (who took his last name); his grandchildren, Jack Buckley, Zackery Miller, Coby Miller, Brianna Miller, Kate Buckley and Ember Blackman; his sister Brenda and her children and grandchildren; and his brother-in-law Bill Taylor, his wife, Karen, and their children.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Congregational Church in Essex Junction, Vt., on Saturday, June 28, 2025, 11 a.m., followed by a private family burial. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to find a small moment of patience in your life — for yourself or another person — in memory of Bruce.
This article appears in May 28 – Jun 3, 2025.