MIDDLEBOROUGH - “Two days beyond his 82nd birthday, The Rev. Bruce L Benshoff, Fr. Bruce to all who knew him, bid good-bye to this earthly life, surrounded by those who loved him, on Monday April 14, 2025.

Fr. Bruce was born in Northeastern Ohio, but fell in love with New England while in seminary in Boston. Since 1970 his ministry has taken him from Portsmouth, NH to Annandale Virginia, to Agawam, MA, and finally to Middleborough, MA, where he served as rector of Church of Our Saviour, Episcopal, for almost 22 years. Following his retirement from Our Saviour he continued his outreach with the Bristol Episcopal Cluster, comprising parishes in Taunton, Easton, and Mansfield, and with St. John’s Church, Sandwich.

Fr. Bruce was a quiet, welcoming, dedicated priest whose leadership allowed whatever parish he was leading to grow both physically and spiritually. He was a good man who delivered meaningful sermons with humor and humility, and personal guidance with wise insight and concern. Always, in whatever the situation, he was loving, warm, caring, and kind.

Beyond the parish Fr. Bruce’s life usually included one or more canine companions. Through the years three gorgeous golden retrievers, Reginald, Alex, and Stewart, shared his life in Middleborough. Most recently Zen, a tiny white Bolognese, became his “best companion,” and managed to manipulate him into doing whatever his little canine heart desired.

Above all Fr. Bruce treasured his family; his wife Joanne Romano Benshoff, his daughter Anastasia Benshoff Heeger (Brian), his son Kirk Michael Benshoff (Tracy), and his grandchildren Hannah Heeger, Charlie Heeger, Violet Benshoff, and Sherman Benshoff. Fr. Bruce dearly loved his two brothers, Gary of Kent, Ohio, and his late brother Ralph.

There will be NO visiting hours.

A Memorial Service for Fr. Bruce will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Church of Our Saviour, 120 Centre Street, Middleborough, MA.

Interment services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Greater Boston Food Bank, or Covenant House, New York City.

For online condolences and directions, please visit our website: www.ashleydrolettefunerahome.com”

ASHLEY FUNERAL HOME
MIDDLEBOROUGH
508 947-3600