Bruce is survived by his wife of 58 years, Zona (Pierce), daughter Kim Gartner (Jim) of Dayton, OH; son Bill Hitchcock (Sue) of Fort Worth, TX; 5 grandchildren: Jillian, Meron (IA) & Brian Gartner (OH), Kayleigh (Trent) Lowery (OH), and Kristen (Jon) McAfee (DE); brothers: Allan (Pat) (TX), Robert (FL), and James, sister-in-law Carolyn (PA) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Dr. R.O. and Helen C Hitchcock, and his brother R. Cameron.
He was a graduate of Alfred Almond Central School in 1956 and Alfred State College in 1960. After growing up in Alfred, Bruce resided in several communities including: Bath, Fairport, Orchard Park, Manlius, and East Aurora NY, Pine Island FL, and his final residence on Turnpike Road in West Almond, NY.
Bruce began his career in the heavy equipment industry as a Field Representative and Demonstrator for Hydraulic Machinery Company of Milwaukee, WI. After much success as a salesman with Dow & Company in the Southern Tier, he advanced to positions of Rochester branch manager, then Sales Manager and General Manager at the Buffalo headquarters. Bruce held positions of Sales Manager, General Manager, Vice President, Executive Vice President, President, and Chief Operating Officer for Nuttall Equipment Company, and was Executive Vice President and General Manager of Baschmann Services. Bruce completed his career as a sales consultant with Rockland Equipment Company, of Bedford, PA, covering Florida in the winter months and the New England states, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and eastern Pennsylvania during the remainder of the year. He served as a member of multiple professional organizations including: Director of New York State Equipment Dealers Association, International Harvester Distributor Council, Warner-Swasey Distributor Council, Lt. Director-Region 2: Associated Equipment Distributors, Fiat Allis Dealer Council, Champion Road Machinery Dealer Council, Highway Superintendents Associations for 16 counties in New York State and as a member of the Board of Directors of Chautauqua Capital Corporation.
Bruce served as a police officer, deputy sheriff, and volunteer fireman. He was active in politics as a member of the Republican Committee of Steuben County, NY and served in the Village of Bath, NY, as a member of the Board of Trustees, as Chairman of the Village of Bath Planning & Zoning Committee and as a member of the Municipal Utilities Committee. He was a member of the Chemung Valley Regional Antique Automobile Club, the former Hornell Lodge #364 BPOE, University Lodge #230F&AM, the First Alfred Seventh Day Baptist Church, and the NRA.
In 1986, Bruce and Zona bought 100 acres with a small hunting cabin on Turnpike Rd in West Almond, and built a cabin retreat where they enjoyed many years of fun, including family gatherings, hunting events, high school reunions, car club & work parties, with tractor, Ranger, and Model A rides, snowmobiling, tobogganing, and more. The happiest times of his life were times spent with his grandchildren, family members and friends at “the cabin” in West Almond. Bruce most enjoyed teaching each of his five grandchildren how to drive a tractor, snowmobile, and the Ranger off-roading vehicle, while building memories that will live on forever. He was very proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed every moment spent with them.
To send a remembrance please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com.
The family will be present to receive friends on Friday (June 30, 2017) from 1-4pm at the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home 354 Canisteo Street, Hornell, New York. A Memorial service will take place at 4:00pm with the Rev. Ken Chroniger officiating. Burial will be at Alfred Rural Cemetery.
