CAMDEN — Bruce W. Ives, 81, died on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bangor. Born on June 11, 1944, in Winchester, Massachusetts, to Kenneth and Adella Ives, Bruce spent his early years in Reading.

Though he ironically did not much enjoy school as a young man, Bruce pursued a lifelong career in education. He was prompted to do so by an elderly family friend who—in blunt terms—told him he was wasting his life punching a factory time clock. Taking that advice to heart, Bruce went on to earn a B.Ed. from Keene State College, an M.Ed. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a C.A.S. from the University of Maine at Orono.

Bruce dedicated 15 years to teaching English across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. In 1982, his career transitioned into administration, where he served as Academic Dean at the Hyde School in Bath. He later served as Principal of Millinocket Middle School and Dexter High School, Superintendent of Schools for SAD 37 in Downeast Maine, and finally, Assistant Superintendent for the Deer Isle-Stonington area before retiring in 2009.

Because he disliked golf, couldn’t catch a fish, and had few hobbies, Bruce found that full retirement did not suit him. Instead, he found great reward in a second act as a Behavioral Health Professional at Downeast Horizons in Ellsworth—a challenging and fulfilling role that he thoroughly enjoyed for five years.

Bruce was predeceased by his father, mother, and brother.

He leaves behind his wonderful wife, Nancy; his son, Seann and wife Dawn, along with their three beautiful children, Sebastian, Lincoln, and Lily, all of Ayer, Massachusetts; and his daughter, Carrie and partners John and Tiffany Fisher of Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, Bruce requested that donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (cff.org; 114 Perimeter Road, Units G and H, Nashua, NH 03063) or to the Maine Seacoast Mission (seacoastmission.org; 127 West Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609).

He leaves you with these final words: "I hope I'm remembered as a good person, who simply loved working with young people. Life is always shorter than one might like, but death is inevitable, so I accept it with grace. Take advantage of your time on earth. Love and take care of yourself, your family and others, and have faith in your God."

To share a memory or condolences with Bruce’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.