WILMINGTON — Bruce Clark Park, 70, passed peacefully with his family by his side Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. Bruce was born May 25, 1949, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Floyd Julian Park Jr. and Ruth Vivian Clark.
His father was a nuclear weapons specialist in the U.S. Air Force, which allowed Bruce to travel the world when he was growing up. Bruce moved from New Mexico to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, where he fell in love with baseball and played in the Little League until 1959. From there, he moved to Aldwincle, Northamptonshire, Great Britain, where he attended school on Alconbury Air Force Base. In 1961, his family moved to Wiesbaden, Germany.
In 1962, Bruce moved to Sembach, Germany, where he attended school at Ramstein Air Force Base, played football and more baseball. While at Sembach, he got to meet the great Joe DiMaggio and have his most favorite photo taken — an autographed picture of Bruce in his Little League uniform standing next to Joe. In 1965, Bruce moved to Charleston, South Carolina. In 1966, he moved to Wilmington and attended New Hanover High School. He then went to Los Angeles, California, and was an expert boiler maker and pipe fitter until retirement.
He met his wife, Kathleen Richardson, disco dancing in Long Beach, California. They were married May 25, 1986. He never lost his love of travel. He and Kathleen visited Australia, Fiji, Greece and Turkey, as well as frequent trips to his favorite island of Kuai, Hawaii. After retirement, they returned to Wilmington, where he realized his lifelong dream of getting his pilot’s license. He spent his time flying around the United States with his wife; son; and his best friend, Ralph Ellis, in a Cessna Skylane 182.
Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Floyd Julian Park Jr.; and his mother, Ruth Clark Park.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Richardson-Park; brother, Ronald K. Park; son, Brian, and his wife, Elizabeth Sanders-Park; daughter, Wendy Ann Farrior; granddaughters, Kendall, Elise and Katie-Rose; grandsons, Nick and Bennett and Shawn; as well as numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (Hospice) who served him so well with compassion, dignity and honor. We love all of them for the care and love they showed our dear Bruce. Thank you!
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
