The Rev. Bruce F. Anderson passed away peacefully on Dec. 8, 2023, at age 88. He leaves his beloved wife, MaryAnn, to whom he was married 66 years, four married sons—Eric (Susan) in Norfolk, Jon (Beth) in Moneta, Va., Bob (Dianne) in Avon, Conn., and Tim (Sandy) in Bristol, Va.—and eight grandchildren (Nick, Ali, Mimi, Buddy, Charlie, Kevin, Kelley, Kristen).

A graduate of Trinity College and Yale Divinity School, Bruce served as pastor of First Congregational Church of Collinsville from 1959 to 1969, and pastor of The Church of Christ, Congregational in Norfolk from 1969 to 1997. After his retirement, he became a member of Falls Village Congregational Church and Choir from 1998 to 2023. 

Bruce was a member for more than 50 years of the Masons, first joining the Norfolk Masonic Lodge, which later merged with Lodge #13 in Salisbury. His community service included the Norfolk Volunteer Ambulance, Norfolk Center Cemetery Association, Norfolk Historic District, Norfolk Bicentennial Committee, Republican Town Committee and the Litchfield County University Club. In 1970 after a donation to the Congregational Church to help establish housing for the town’s seniors, Bruce led the effort to get the project off the ground; in 1972 the Meadowbrook Senior Housing building was completed on the site of the former Norfolk elementary school on Shepard Road. While serving as pastor, he gave the annual blessing at the Memorial Day Parade in remembrance of Norfolk’s veterans.

When asked what he enjoyed most about the unique role of pastor, he responded enthusiastically, “That’s easy—the people!” In addition to leading weekly Sunday worship service, Bruce helped lead the children’s Sunday school program, the sixth grade confirmation class, Bible & Life Fellowship on Sunday evenings, and the youth fellowship’s local trips and social outings.

During his years as pastor, he performed hundreds of baptisms, confirmations and weddings, and spent countless hours visiting and comforting folks who were sick or struggling. He was direct and sincere, and he truly meant it when he asked, “How are you?”

Bruce’s other interests included historical books and ephemera, and antique tools, coins and stamps. He was an avid vegetable gardener and enjoyed scouting for Indian arrowheads in recently plowed fields. He liked a good game of chess, checkers or cards and was an excellent athlete.

Bruce is fondly remembered by family and friends for his dedication to God’s grace and strength, his service to others over self, and his patience, compassion and empathy.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that the meaning of success is “to leave the world a little better.” Bruce did so every day. He dedicated his entire life to the service of God and the needs of those around him, and he is remembered with lasting fondness and joy for the blessings he bestowed and the comfort he brought to others. 

His body was laid to rest on Dec. 12 in a private family ceremony in Norfolk Center Cemetery. A “Celebration of Life” service is planned for Saturday, April 6, in Falls Village. Donations in his honor may be made to Falls Village Congregational Church, 16 Beebe Hill Rd, Falls Village, Conn. 06031, as well as to the Steeple Repair Fund at the Church of Christ Congregational, Norfolk, P.O. Box 582, Norfolk, 06058.