It is with sadness that I inform you of the passing of Bruce Relyea. Bruce was a friend of mine, a faithful steward of Clary Lake, and a long time member of the Clary Lake Association. Bruce and his wife Audrey bought their property on the south shore of Clary Lake in Jefferson from Francis Ward in 1967 and it remains in the family today. Bruce was an early supporter of the Association which was formed not too long before Bruce arrived, in 1960. Bruce served as Association President from 2002 through 2004 and has been a generous benefactor of the Association over the years. He will be missed. Here’s his obituary from the Fort Worth Texas Star-Telegram:
Bruce J. Relyea 1928 – 2018
Bruce J. Relyea FORT WORTH — Bruce J. Relyea, 90, of Fort Worth, passed away on January 9, 2018. Bruce was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Mildred and Bruce Relyea. He enlisted into the United States Army Air Force at age 18, serving in Japan as a control tower operator, and upon discharge he attended Miami University of Ohio, earning a degree in Business Administration. In 1950, he began his career as an auditor for General Electric Co. in Cleveland. Four years later, he married his wife of 64 years, Audrey Jennison. Bruce was later employed at Penn Central Co., Ebasco Industries, and as Comptroller with Union Pacific. He ended his career as Vice President of Finance at Champlin Petroleum Company in Fort Worth. Not one to sit idly, after retirement, Bruce took up ranching in Grandview before returning to Fort Worth to spend time with his children and grandchildren. Bruce was an avid reader, a talented bridge player, an enthusiastic golfer, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed spending summers with Audrey and family at his wild blueberry farm, North Forty, in Jefferson, Maine. Bruce was preceded in death by his infant son, Douglas Edward. SURVIVORS: His wife of 63 years, Audrey Jennison Relyea; children, Robert Bruce Relyea (Jeraldine), Susan Relyea Pardee (Tom), Steven Jennison Relyea (Adrienne), Gregory John Relyea (June); . his sister, Lynda Metzler. 11 grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.
On behalf of the Clary Lake Association Board I wish offer our condolences to his wife Audrey and the family.
Respectfully,
George Fergusson, Secretary,
Clary Lake Association