Bruce A. Stokes, 65, died March 27, 2012 with his wife, children and grandchildren by his side.
He was born October 21, 1946 in Dunkirk, New York, to Kenneth and Evelyn Stokes. He grew up in Fredonia and graduated from Fredonia High School in 1966. After graduation, Bruce was drafted into the United States Army. He served a year in Vietnam with the Big Red One during the Tet Offensive of 1968. Upon his return, Bruce attended and graduated from SUNY Fredonia in 1977. He later obtained his MBA in Industrial Relations from West Virginia University in 1983, where he served as the President of the Honor Society.
Bruce started his Human Resources career locally at CPS (now INX, Int'l), and over the course of his career worked at Rubber-maid in Cortland, NY and HADCO in Oswego, NY and Salem, NH. He retired as Vice President of Human Resources at Varian Semiconductor in Gloucester, MA last year. During his professional career Bruce developed an extended family of co-workers and colleagues that spanned from Fredonia to Boston, Taiwan, Singapore, Europe, and Malaysia, to name a few. He loved sharing stories about his adventures and about the interesting people he met and worked with on his international travels. He was a member of the Greater Merrimack Valley Human Resources Association and the Society for Human Resources Management.
Bruce A. Stokes
When not working, his favorite pastimes were riding his Harley(s) and jogging. When at home, he loved crime dramas and science fiction shows, as well as collecting the latest and greatest tools. Bruce was successful professionally and personally, and he considered his greatest success
being able to share his time, stories, and love with his family and friends. Those who were lucky enough to truly know Bruce will instantly recall his warmth and caring, his infectious laugh, and his dimpled smile.
Bruce considered his greatest achievement to be his family and his most important roles to be that of husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; his four children and their spouses: Patrick (Tracy) Stokes and Amanda (Bruce) Thompson of Fredonia; Lindsey
(Sung) Shaw-Baek of Hillsborough, NJ; and Brian (Robin) Shaw of Watertown, MA, and seven grandchildren: Emma, Sophie, Tess, Jordan, Noah,
Cameron, and Jonathan. He is also survived by his brothers, Thomas (Lois) and Marvin Stokes and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Malcolm and Douglas Stokes.
Bruce was the rare individual who leaves the world better than he found it. He will always be loved and missed and will never be forgotten by those whose lives he touched. Friends may call today from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Larson-Timko Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue, Fredonia (679-9000). Funeral Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Fredonia, 219 Central Avenue, Saturday at 11 am. Military Honors
at the church will follow the funeral services. Memorial contributions in Mr. Stokes' memory may be made to The American Legion Post 59, 156 East Main St., Fredonia, NY.
Online condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com.