Bruce D. Mitchell

Bruce D. Mitchell, age 78, of Merrimac, MA, passed peacefully on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his third wife, Lesa A. Morrissey, who passed 2023, and was also predeceased by his second wife, Linda (Creighton) Mitchell, who passed in 2001.

Born in Salem, MA, January 29, 1948, he was the son of the late Douglas F. Mitchell and the late Barbara B. (Clinch) Mitchell and was a graduate of Danvers High School, East Coast Aero Tech, and held a master’s degree in Quality Systems Management.

A proud veteran of the United States Navy, Bruce entered the military on September 16, 1968, and was honorably discharged on September 15, 1972, with the rank of ARD3. He served as a Petty Officer and Plane Captain in the Air Operations Maintenance Division at Naval Air Station Norfolk, where he worked on the Line Crew for over three years. The majority of his time was spent in Flight Crew as a U-11A and C-1A Plane Captain and was trained as a C-117 Plane Captain. After his military service, he also served two years with the Naval Reserves until May 16, 1974.

Bruce loved boating and sailing, was a private pilot for many years, enjoyed flying model airplanes, e-biking, and for 30 years he vacationed on Welch Island on Lake Winnipesaukee.

He is survived by his daughter, Kelly O’Rourke and her husband Timothy of Tacoma, WA and Kelly’s mom, Wanda Michael; two brothers, Paul Mitchell and wife Cathy of Weare, NH and Carl Mitchell and wife Karen of Byfield, MA; two grandchildren, Rowan O’Rourke and Noella O’Rourke, both of Tacoma, WA. He is predeceased by a daughter, Stacy Gross. Also survived by his aunt Kay Doherty Clinch and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 4 to 7 P.M. at Paul C. Rogers & Sons Family Funeral Home, 36 West Main Street, Merrimac, MA 01860 - all are welcome. Cemetery services will be on the following day and will be for family only.