A. Bruce MacGregor ’44

A. Bruce MacGregor ’44 died on August 11, 2020 in Merrimac, Massachusetts.       

(The following was published by The Eagle Tribune on August 19, 2020)

Bruce MacGregor of Merrimac, and sometimes Rye, NH, and Bokeelia, FL, died on the 11th day of August. He was not surprised. Alive, he had been surprised the last few years that he lived as long as he did, and had such a good time.

Bruce was born in Haverhill, MA, on November 14, 1922, first born of Allan B. MacGregor and Katherine Glover MacGregor of Danvers, MA; married Nancy (Kit) Covey of Wellesley, MA, on May 5, 1950; survived by his sister, Katherine Gove of West Newbury, MA; his son, Mark, and his wife, Sarah, of Newfields, NH; and his daughter, Susan of Merrimac, MA, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their children. He graduated from Haverhill High School in 1940, Bowdoin College class of 1944, and Boston University Law School in 1950. He practiced in Haverhill, lately at MacGregor and Hart. He served in the U.S. Navy Air Corps from 1940-1946 as a pilot of PBY Privateers Catalina and PB4Y2, retired as ensign.

During his more active years he was associated with the following organizations: director of the George Wadleigh Foundation, Inc.; member of Peerless Investment Group, Haverhill Country Club, and Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill; president of the Haverhill Bar Association 1974-1976; a former trustee, director, and counsel to Family Mutual Bank of Haverhill; trustee and moderator of the First Universalist Church of Haverhill; director of the Haverhill Historical Society; member of the Town of Merrimac (MA) Finance Committee 1960-1966, Board of Appeals 1970-1974, and Planning Board 1954-1960.

Perhaps more importantly, in the first three years of the Merrimac Santa Parade he had a good time leading the parade as Uncle Sam. His career there was short lived however when the parade committee found someone taller and thinner. Since 2005 he had a good time jumping around at 7 a.m., three times a week, with his buds at Anna Jaques Cardiac Rehab.

His hobbies included golf, swimming, gardening, reading, and painting (both house and canvas).
The above was penned by the man himself. We would like to add what a good man he was to everyone who knew him, a great friend and example. In the last months, he often said on parting that we should “Try to have some fun every day.” Fun is something we all know when we experience it, but being kind is also a form of fun, being honest, and charitable. Having all these qualities our father certainly had more than his share of fun.

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