Bruce J. Relyea, 90, of Fort Worth, Tex., and summer resident of Jefferson, passed away on Jan. 9.
Bruce was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Mildred and Bruce Relyea. He enlisted in the U.S. 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 63 years, Audrey Jennison. Bruce was later employed at Penn Central Co., Ebasco Industries, and as Controller with Union Pacific. He ended his career as vice president of finance at Champlin Petroleum Company in Fort Worth, Tex.
Not one to sit idly, after retirement, Bruce took up ranching in Grandview before returning to Fort Worth, Tex. 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.
Bruce was preceded in death by his infant son, Douglas Edward.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Audrey Jennison Relyea; children, Robert Bruce Relyea (Jeraldine), Susan Relyea Pardee (Tom), Steven Jennison Relyea (Adrienne), and Gregory John Relyea (June); sister, Lynda Metzler; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A service, date to be determined, will be held in Jefferson.
