Bruce Kincaid Donle – 78, of Strafford, New Hampshire and formerly of North Reading, died surrounded by his family at Kirkwood Corners Assisted Living, on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.
Born in Winchester on March 27, 1943, he was the son of the late Earl and Doris Donle. He was a proud resident of Tower Hill Road, North Reading for 64 years. He attended North Reading schools and Graduated in 1961. After high school, Bruce worked as a mechanic at Sears and as an Insurance Adjuster at Allstate Insurance Company. In 1964, Bruce joined the National Guard and began his lifelong career of public service. He received his Master’s in Criminal Justice from Ana Maria College.
Bruce was a 32 year member of the North Reading Police Department. He loved his job. During his career, Bruce was the department’s Armor and Firearms Instructor for 26 years. He was a true marksman and great teacher. Bruce was also in charge of Firearms and Licensing. He served these positions with pride.
In 2007, Bruce and his wife moved to their dream home on Bow Lake, in Strafford, New Hampshire, where he had been vacationing since the 1950’s. With his family and friends, Bruce always enjoyed the lake. Activities such as swimming, boating, skiing, sailing, and watching sunsets were enjoyed each year. He loved hosting guests so they could share his love of the lake.
Bruce had a strong commitment to his family and lifelong friends. He enjoyed traveling, boating, working on the house and in the yard, and socializing with friends. Bruce always liked learning new things and often became an expert at them. His interests included; gunsmithing, computers, investing, beer brewing, carpentry, mechanics, shooting, sailing, snowmobiling, and photography. If there was a project to be done, Bruce knew how to do it and was eager to help everyone. He was a member of the Masonic Temple and Shriners and a lifelong member of the NRA, and the Reading Rifle and Revolver Club.
Family members include his wife of 53 years, Clarinda M. (Santos) Donle. He is also survived by his loving children, Kimberly Meaney and her husband Mark of Ipswich. Kevin Donle and his wife Kathy of North Reading. His brother Wayne Donle and his wife Simone of Strafford, NH, and his sister-in-law Diane Donle of Texas. Bruce was predeceased by his brother Keith Donle of Texas. Bruce is also survived by his adoring grandchildren, Patrick, Katherine, and Ryan Meaney, and Taryn Gately and Kyle Donle. He was also very close with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.
His funeral will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Monday, September 20 at 10:00 AM. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, September 19 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Bruce’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org/, or a charity of your choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com
Kevin, Kathy. Taryn and Kyle. I am so sorry for your loss. You have another angel in heaven now and Frank has someone to have a “pop” with. ❤❤
I’m so sorry for your loss. Bruce was a great guy.
To all of the Donle family, my deepest condolences on the passing of Bruce, he was a good friend of my family and just a great police officer. Our best the Woodland family. ❤❤
My Deepest Condolences to the entire Family He definitely had an impact on my life Growing up in OUR NORTH READING which he was one of the NICEST FATHERS of my friends growing up But ALSO a Man who took his Profession of Law Enforcement with the utmost pride and reverence Which showed in his offspring Kim and Kevin I truly sorry for the passing of you FATHER believe me I KNOW GOD BLESS HIM AND KEEP HIM BY HIS SIDE AMEN
Him and Hank are up there loving the good times and friendship. Sorry he has left our dimension for the internally peace.
So sorry for your loss. Bruce was one of the good cops in North Reading while I was growing up. Rest in peace.
Great Guy good to a lot of people.
Condolences to the Donle family. Sorry to hear.
Ruth Downs White ‘class of ’62.
TO ALL THE DONLE FAMILY BRUCE WAS GOD A TRUE LIFE LONG FRIEND I WAS BLESSED TO GROWUP WITH HIM FROM KINDERGARTEN TO GRANDCHILDERN GOD BLESS YOU ALL DANA ROWE
My mom and I are very sorry for your loss Clarinda. You and your family are in our thoughts and prays.
Lynette &Pauline Nason
My heart is broken. Cousin Bruce was a good man in the truest sense of the word. I will always remember that smile and his no nonsense attitudes as he imparted words of wisdom to us younger cousins. There are so many more treasured memories.
Rest in peace, Cuz. Heroes never die, they just become legends.
Nancy and I send our love and prayers to Kevin and family.
Don and Nancy Pearce.
Our hearts are sadden. Our little corner of the lake won’t be the same.
Prayers, blessings, and love to the entire family.
Lynn & Donna
To the Donle family and Clarinda, I am so sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. Our sincere condolences to Clarinda and family. Praying for your comfort and peace.
Thinking of Clarinda and family..
We are so sorry to learn of Bruce’s passing.
We will hold onto our many good memories of him.
So sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing.. He was blessed to have lived such a full life with so many dear friends and family. Praying for God to provide grace and peace to the family at this difficult time.
My heart aches for all of you. My fondest memories of Mr. D. were when he would take us snowmobiling through our Tower Hill neighborhood, the stash of gum he had in the garage (my favorite was when he had Fruit Stripes), watching him fix cars on “the lift”, the Halloween nights he didn’t have to work and could go trick-or-treating with us, and trying to tip-toe around the house when we were playing with Kim & Kevin so we didn’t disturb him because we knew he was asleep after working an extra long shift/detail, but we ALWAYS managed to wake him, poor guy! Rest easy Bruce, and have fun doing all the things you love to do up in heaven. And to Mrs. D., Kim, Kevin and your entire family, I’m thinking of you all, and send my heartfelt thoughts and prayers your way.
Every body should have a neighbor like Bruce he was right there if you needed help with something .My condolences to his family .
My deepest sympathies upon Bruce’s passing. When I first moved to North Reading Bruce was always there to help, fix my car, shovel, cut down a tree, etc. etc. He was the reason we moved here! Loved to tease him about politics. He was an all around nice guy who would do anything for anyone. Will be missed!
Dear Clarinda, Kim, Kevin & Family, You are all in our thoughts & prayers. May knowing Bruce is at Peace now help comfort you for all the days ahead. With love & heartfelt sympathy, Judy & Jim Hanning
Deepest sympathies to Clarinda and family, Bruce and Clarinda were always a help to my parents when they lived next to each other, All my parents had to do was call and Bruce or Clarinda were there. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Beth Blackstone
Cannot express how sorry we are for your loss.
You could tell he was a good person and a great father and husband.
God love him and God love you all.
Sincerely, John, Kathy and Eugenia.
To the Donle Family
Bruce was an awesome person and I enjoyed any time I had with. He will be missed by all, sincerely Charles “Skip “ Kilgore Jr
I am very sorry for your loss Clarinda. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Clarinda
Ned and I are so sorry for you and your family’s loss… our hears and prayers go out to all of you!
Clarinda and family…My sincere sympathy to you and yours on the loss of Bruce. May all the loving memories of him held deep in your hearts help you now and always in the future. You have an angel watching over all of you. Kathy Marino
Bruce and I have been friends for over 7 decades and I have many good memories. Anita and I will miss him.
Even though our time with Bruce was short, we have many wonderful memories. He was there helping out when we were the new neighbors on the lake. Bruce was kind and generous and a fun guy to talk to. May his memory be a blessing to Clarinda and the Donle family.
Carol and John
Clarinda, Kevin, Kim and families, sending much love. Warmly, Buffy