Bruce Duerr

Bruce Duerr, of Lake Katrine, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2019 in the late afternoon, after a brief illness. He was under Hospice Care at Kingston Hospital. Bruce had resided in Palmer House 3 since 2012. Prior to Palmer, Bruce resided at Rousner in New Paltz.

Bruce Gary Duerr was the 3rd child of Freida and Robert Duerr, and was born in Nassau County, Long Island, NY. Bruce spent his early years at home with his family, one sister, and two brothers in Long Island, and then moved to New Paltz. Bruce loved Spiderman, Batman, and other super heroes, as well as cartoons and comedies. Bruce enjoyed playing touch football, listening to rock-n-roll oldies, singing and dancing, rocking out to Elvis, going to concerts, reading magazines, baseball and football games, going to fairs and car shows, monster trucks races, NASCAR, and generally any outings offered to him. Bruce was a social butterfly. He enjoyed talking and flirting with the ladies particularly, and was often quite the jokester.

Bruce worked at PILOT Industries, assembling division, for many years, until he began attending Pecora Day Hab. Bruce also enjoyed helping with household tasks such as watering plants, sweeping and mopping, taking out garbage, and basically any task that was helpful to his residence and kept him busy. Bruce then retired entirely from Pecora and began attending Palmer Day Program, where he enjoyed listening to live piano and harmonica music, hand and nail care massage, guided imagery, pet therapy, being read too, and watching oldies videos on YouTube.

Bruce was well loved by his family, friends, and peers, and was well cared for by Staff of the various programs he participated in. He is survived by his loving sister, Gladys Schroader of Florida, who was a strong advocate for him, and his brother, Richard Duerr of Texas, as well as some nieces and nephews who cared for Bruce deeply. Bruce will be well missed, but we are encouraged that he is dancing to Elvis in Heaven looking down smiling at us all.

Entrusted to the care of Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave in Kingston, Bruce’s viewing will be held on Friday, March 15, 2019 from 10:00am to 11:00am. A funeral service will take place at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Montrepose Cemetery.