Obituary of Bruce R. Couillard

Bruce R. Couillard, known for his dedication to his family, teaching and aviation, died on October 10, 2014 in Stamford, CT. He was 84. Bruce was born on July 26, 1930 in Indianapolis, Indiana to the late Reverend Vernon Williams Couillard and Cynthia Meta Lau Couillard. His early years were spent between Indianapolis and Dover, Ohio. In 1939 the family relocated to Staten Island, New York. That year he received a model airplane as a birthday present, and a lifelong passion for flight was born. He would go on to win a WWII Air Raid Warriors Airplane Spotters contest. New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia presented the award in-person. He learned to fly from members of the Civilian Air Patrol and flew planes on myriad adventures. He obtained his pilot's license, became a flight instructor, taught aerobatics, started flying clubs for youth wherever he went and was a true ambassador for general aviation. In 1950 he met the love of his life, Virginia (Gini) Angelucci. They were married later that same year in Elkton, Maryland. As a member of the National Guard, he was called to active duty during the Korean War. Over the next several years, Bruce and Gini had four children: Pamela, Donna, Bruce Jr. and Justin (Jay). In 1957 Bruce became manager of Camp Hope, the Moravian Church camp in Hope, New Jersey. At this beloved family home Bruce and Gini raised "the best family anyone could ask for." Through the GI Bill, Bruce had graduated from Millersville University in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. In 1977 he earned a graduate degree in Special Education from Pennsylvania State University. He energetically taught Industrial Arts and Aviation at Belvidere High School in Belvidere, New Jersey from 1957 to 1968 and at Wilson Boro High School in Easton, Pennsylvania from 1968 until his retirement in 1988. His active retirement included working as a pipeline control pilot, extensive travel by plane, motorcycle, helicopter and RV, and ongoing romance with his cherished wife, Gini. Bruce lived adventurously. In his later years he came to care deeply about social justice. He had strong opinions, yet was constantly interested in new ideas. He embraced change and growth even when it was a challenge. Bruce had a well-deserved reputation as a rebel, however it was his deep caring for others and determination to take full advantage of life's opportunities that are the hallmarks of his character. Bruce is survived by his children and their spouses Pamela and Robert Freese, Donna and Thomas Getreuer, Bruce Couillard Jr. and Laura Withers Couillard, and Jay Couillard and Eva Fontaine, his grandchildren, Kristopher Couillard, Melanie Getreuer, Benjamin Freese, Stephanie Freese, Samantha Getreuer, Lucie Couillard and Colby Couillard, his sister Ruth Ann Graham and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife of 62 years Virginia Angelucci Couillard, his brother Justin Couillard and his sister Lois Nabhan. In lieu of flowers please consider donation in his memory to the EAA Young Eagles (Checks payable to the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. at PO Box 3816 Oshkosh, WI 54903) or the Southern Poverty Law Center (http://donate.splcenter.org). This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Bruce R. Couillard. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences. Read Bruce Couillard's Obituary and Guestbook on www.macfaddenfuneralhome.com.