Bruce A. Whilton, 84, of Gloucester, MA and Punta Gorda, FL, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 5th, 2022, in Punta Gorda, after a long and well lived life.
Born in Arlington, Massachusetts on August 24, 1937 to Walter and Louise Whilton, both deceased, he was brother to his beloved siblings, Marjorie (Whilton) Poore and Frederick (“Bud”) Whilton, both deceased. Bruce graduated from Gloucester High School in 1954 and attended Cornell on an academic scholarship, graduating with a Master’s Degree in chemical engineering in 1959. While at Cornell, Bruce continued his lifelong love of hockey as a member of the Big Red Hockey team. He also played hockey in the Adult Leagues into his late 40’s as well as later volunteering as a hockey coach in the Cape Ann Youth Hockey Program. After graduating college, Bruce served over five years in the U.S. Army Reserves. Bruce spent a lifetime on boats starting at the age of nine captaining his own skiff on Pigeon Cove, fishing for bait to sell to the fishermen in Gloucester and saving his pocket money for penny candy. Summer weekends he spent racing in a spirited and competitive 210 class out of Eastern Point Yacht Club in Gloucester, on Lake Erie during his ten years in residence in Bay Village, Ohio and later enjoyed the southern waters and friendships made through the P.G. Islanders Boat Club. Bruce retired from General Mills/Unilever after 32 years, receiving, among other awards and accolades, the prestigious Silver Fox award from McDonalds and the Gorton’s Way Award from Gortons. He was an enthusiastic world traveler but enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by family and friends, whether at Gallery on the Moors, in his leafy courtyard in Punta Gorda or at the “Center of the Universe” overlooking Smith Cove. Especially at cocktail hour.
A loving husband and devoted father, he is survived by his wife of 24 years Anne (Guilfoil) Whilton, and predeceased by his wife of 31 years Ruth (Hamilton) Whilton; two daughters, Beth Isenhart, wife of Mark Isenhart of Andover, MA and Diana Frering of Quincy, MA; a son, Todd Whilton, husband of Annemarie Whilton of Cohasset, MA; stepdaughter Laura Cluett-Sacco, wife of John Sacco of Danvers, MA and stepson David Cluett of Gloucester, MA; eight grandchildren, Troy Isenhart, Adam Isenhart, Brittany Isenhart, Hannah Frering, David Frering, Zoe Whilton, Sarah Whilton, Ronan Whilton, two step-grandchildren, Anna Cluett-Warren and Alden Cluett; two great grandchildren; Emery and Malcolm Isenhart; and many cherished nieces and nephews (and grand nieces and nephews).
A Celebration of Life for Bruce, will be planned for a later date.
Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home Punta Gorda Chapel.