Bruce Newport Johnstone of Lebanon, New Hampshire | 1938 - 2018 | Obituary

Lebanon, NH - Bruce Johnstone was a man of many hats, often in the same day; a soccer, hockey or lacrosse game involving Hanover High School followed by a soccer game, Nordic ski race, or tennis match featuring Lebanon High. The short drive between venues typically provided ample time to swap a Marauder cap for a Raider toque, and by the time it was evening, when a musical or theatrical performance by yet another of his beloved grandchildren filled the bill, the hats of the day had been temporarily, and appropriately, shelved.

Bruce passed away on Tuesday, April 10, at the age of 79, at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his three loving children, who were at his side as he left this world. Bruce was a loving father, husband, friend, mentor and advisor, who positively touched and affected a countless number of lives.  Since May of 2015, Bruce was a resident of the Woodlands in Lebanon.

Bruce was born on October 24, 1938, in Grafton, Mass. A 1961 graduate of Middlebury College, Bruce embarked on a banking career in both Albany and Rochester, N.Y., earning his MBA from Siena College along the way. In 1978, Bruce, wife Sondra, and their three children moved to New Hampshire, where Bruce worked for Indian Head Bank, eventually becoming the bank’s president and COO.

In the fall of 1991, Bruce made a career change when he purchased Central Supply, Inc., a Lebanon-based plumbing, heating, electrical and appliance supplier, eventually hiring both of his sons to work alongside him. Community was vitally important to Bruce, and he took great pleasure in having Central Supply sponsor local sports teams, charitable events, and artistic performances throughout the Upper Valley.

In 2010, Bruce sold Central Supply and began a life of “retirement,” happily and tirelessly volunteering his time to help others. In recent years, Bruce served on the boards of Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, APD Health Systems, and APD Lifecare; served on the board for the New England Healing Sports Association (NEHSA); and volunteered as many as four days per week at the Upper Valley Haven, where he worked as part of the food shelf operation.

Bruce is survived by sons Bruce, of Lebanon, and Rob, of Plainfield; daughter Katie McDonnell, of Norwich, VT; grandchildren Emily, Ben, and Jake Acker, of Norwich, Sydney and Owen Johnstone, of Plainfield, and Kali and Sam McDonnell, of Norwich. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Sondra, in 2007.

http://www.rickerfuneralhome.com/obituary/bruce-johnstone