MEDFORD, New Jersey — Bruce Wight Starrett, recently of Medford, New Jersey, passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at the age of 75.

Bruce was a devoted husband to his beautiful wife of 50 years, Shirley Starrett (nee Haines), and dearly beloved father to his daughter, Heather Carmody and her husband Dan, of Marlton, New Jersey, and his daughter, Jennifer Starrett and her husband Jayson Johnson of Columbia, Maryland, as well as beloved Papa to Jenson, Teddy and Kaitlyn.

In addition, Bruce is survived by his brother, Rick Starrett and his wife Lil of Belfast, Maine; his stepmother, Anita Starrett of Little Rock, Arkansas; his stepbrother, Brian Brown and his wife Sissy of Little Rock, Arkansas; his stepsister Martha Brown, of Boulder, Colorado; two nephews and several cousins.

Bruce was born in Belfast, Maine and lived there most of his life. Bruce graduated with a B.A. in Economics from St. Lawrence University, where he was a distinguished military graduate from the ROTC program and as a result was afforded a choice of assignments in the Army. He chose finance and was assigned to the finance department in Osaka, Japan, where he met nurse Shirley in the officers’ club. Upon returning from Japan, Bruce and Shirley were married and he moved them back to Belfast to join his father’s potato processing plant, Penobscot Frozen Foods, where he eventually became a partial owner.

Bruce had a knack for food processing mechanics. While he spent the majority of his working career at Penobscot Frozen Foods, he also consulted in non-potato areas of food processing and assisted in establishing new food processing facilities in India.

After retiring, and much cajoling, he agreed to move with his lovely wife to South Jersey to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Bruce loved his Midcoast Maine hometown and helping people. He was involved in over a dozen charitable and philanthropic organizations and served on the boards of several local and state organizations. For many years he read to kids weekly through local child support programs, entertaining them with various character voices as he read. He was a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International, serving as a past president of the Belfast Rotary Club, a pancake breakfast chef, and the Rotarian’s Santa. He owned his own Santa suit, riding in parades, listening to children’s Christmas wishes and then delivering gifts to underprivileged kids. Recently he was elected to be President of the Rotary Club in Marlton, New Jersey, although he was unable to serve due to illness. His generous spirit was also evident in his support local food banks and opening his home to people from all over the world through various exchange programs.

Bruce is probably best known for his fantastic sense of humor. Although he enjoyed telling, and hearing, inappropriate and profanity-filled stories, he always meant well, and tried to tailor his stories to his audience. A kind and caring man, Bruce loved his family fiercely and wished the absolute best for everyone he met, and was beloved in return. He loved to travel and was happiest when on the water. Our hope is his journey beyond the horizon will bring him peace and comfort at last.

Services for Bruce will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Bradley Funeral Home, 601 Route 73 South, Marlton, NJ 08053. The visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:30 a.m. The family is planning a celebration of life in Belfast, Maine in the summer of 2023.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either the Rotary Club of Belfast, Maine at PO Box 74, Belfast, ME 04915; or the Rotary Club of Marlton, New Jersey at PO Box 1284, Marlton, NJ 08053.