Obituary for J. Bruce Stauffer
J. Bruce Stauffer, 85, of Manlius, passed away October 31, 2019 at Francis House, after a brief illness. Born in Syracuse to the late John F. and Margaret Vogel Stauffer, Bruce graduated from the Eastwood High School in 1952, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps and serving in Korea as an MP Sergeant. After an honorable discharge, he attended Syracuse University and then began his career in construction with the William C. Pahl Co., before venturing out on his own and establishing the J.B. Stauffer Construction Co., in 1977.
Bruce was a philanthropic leader in his community. From the time his children were young, Bruce was heavily involved in Fayetteville-Manlius sports. His passion and involvement in the Manlius Little League and other F-M sports programs lead him to build and help fund various athletic fields, many of which bear his name today. His involvement and generosity culminated in an induction into the F-M Athletics Hall of Fame as a community contributor.
Bruce was best known for his financial and humanitarian endeavors, highlighted by his mercy flights for the critically ill. The mercy flights allowed him to combine his love of flying, and his love of giving, into one of his greatest passions. Tied to his pager 24 hours a day, he waited for the urgent calls to come so he could transport organ transplant recipients and other patients in need of emergent, specialized care. Bruce did this using his own aircraft at his own expense and often helped raise money to defray the patient’s enormous medical expenses. As nicked named by columnist Dick Case, Bruce was “Syracuse’s Angel of Mercy.”
His selfless generosity extended to serving on the boards of the Leukemia Society, Hope for the Bereaved, Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research, and the Air One Foundation. He was instrumental in building the addition to the Francis House in its early years, where there is a room named in his honor. He was very proud of his 34-year service to the NYS Trooper Foundation as a trustee and long-time Chairman and President.
Bruce was most proud to be “Grampa” to his 12 grandchildren. His passing will leave a tremendous void in the Syracuse and Manlius communities, as well as in the lives of his many friends and especially his family.
Bruce is survived by his children, Jack (Kara) of Manlius; Jim (Denise) of Florida; Terry (Tracy) of Manlius; and Tracy (Steve) Cicci of Manlius; his sisters Patricia Wallace of CA, Janice Vassar of Fayetteville, Diane Joyce of Camillus and Rosemary Stauffer of CA; his brothers Tom of Syracuse, Dan of Liverpool, and Dennis of NC; his grandchildren Calvin, Gabrielle, and Mia Stauffer; Taylor Watson, Tori Reardon, Raegan and Mick Stauffer; Brad and Sam Stauffer; Griffin, Ryan and Tomlin Cicci; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Saturday, November 9, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Fayetteville. Calling hours will be Friday, November 8, 4pm-7pm, at the Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E Genesee St, Fayetteville, NY. Burial will be in the Manlius Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bruce’s memory to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave, Syracuse, NT 13208, or to the NYS Troopers Foundation, 3 Airport Park Blvd, Latham, NY 12110.
Bruce was a philanthropic leader in his community. From the time his children were young, Bruce was heavily involved in Fayetteville-Manlius sports. His passion and involvement in the Manlius Little League and other F-M sports programs lead him to build and help fund various athletic fields, many of which bear his name today. His involvement and generosity culminated in an induction into the F-M Athletics Hall of Fame as a community contributor.
Bruce was best known for his financial and humanitarian endeavors, highlighted by his mercy flights for the critically ill. The mercy flights allowed him to combine his love of flying, and his love of giving, into one of his greatest passions. Tied to his pager 24 hours a day, he waited for the urgent calls to come so he could transport organ transplant recipients and other patients in need of emergent, specialized care. Bruce did this using his own aircraft at his own expense and often helped raise money to defray the patient’s enormous medical expenses. As nicked named by columnist Dick Case, Bruce was “Syracuse’s Angel of Mercy.”
His selfless generosity extended to serving on the boards of the Leukemia Society, Hope for the Bereaved, Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research, and the Air One Foundation. He was instrumental in building the addition to the Francis House in its early years, where there is a room named in his honor. He was very proud of his 34-year service to the NYS Trooper Foundation as a trustee and long-time Chairman and President.
Bruce was most proud to be “Grampa” to his 12 grandchildren. His passing will leave a tremendous void in the Syracuse and Manlius communities, as well as in the lives of his many friends and especially his family.
Bruce is survived by his children, Jack (Kara) of Manlius; Jim (Denise) of Florida; Terry (Tracy) of Manlius; and Tracy (Steve) Cicci of Manlius; his sisters Patricia Wallace of CA, Janice Vassar of Fayetteville, Diane Joyce of Camillus and Rosemary Stauffer of CA; his brothers Tom of Syracuse, Dan of Liverpool, and Dennis of NC; his grandchildren Calvin, Gabrielle, and Mia Stauffer; Taylor Watson, Tori Reardon, Raegan and Mick Stauffer; Brad and Sam Stauffer; Griffin, Ryan and Tomlin Cicci; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be Saturday, November 9, 2019, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Fayetteville. Calling hours will be Friday, November 8, 4pm-7pm, at the Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E Genesee St, Fayetteville, NY. Burial will be in the Manlius Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bruce’s memory to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave, Syracuse, NT 13208, or to the NYS Troopers Foundation, 3 Airport Park Blvd, Latham, NY 12110.