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Bruce William Nordaby, Sr.

Bruce W. Nordaby, Sr., 78, born in 1937 in Camden NJ and passed away on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2015 in Orlando FL.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Mary Ann; daughter, Audra; and son, Bruce Jr. He was preceded in heaven by his son, Troy; daughter, Heidi; five brothers, Lou, Bob, George, Richard, and Ted; and sister, Sharon.

Born in Camden, NJ in 1937, he was Irish on his mother, Catherine’s side and he was proud of his Irish heritage.  He served in the US Army during the Korean War.  

Bruce had piercing blue eyes and blue was his favorite color.  He told Heidi, “It took four tries to finally have a child with blue eyes and curly hair that was feisty, carefree, and witty.” He loved to take camping trips with his family and almost lost his son, Bruce Jr., to a bear in Canada.  In Yellowstone, he taught them how to chill watermelon in a cold mountain stream. He loved saltwater fishing with Audra. He always made her bait the hook and, according to him, he always caught the biggest fish.

He always told his kid’s fiends jokes; many several times.  After many years of visits and parties, they became adults, and still came back to visit, referring him as “Daddy Bruce” or “Mr. Nordaby.  

Everyone knows that Bruce knew he was always right and he knew everything. As he aged, he gained even more knowledge and was more right! His kids and their friends gave him the nickname “Moses”. He would tell them how to do things, when to do things, why to do things, where to get the best deal, wherever there was a better bargain that would have saved them money, etc. and they would nod and agree, then do what they wanted anyway. He became an easy target for them to joke around with.

Bruce and Mary Ann loved to dance, play cards, and host parties. People were only a stranger in their house one time…after that, you were family and could get your own beer out of the fridge!

Bruce enjoyed playing pinochle the most.  He would talk about his marathon games with his army buddies when they were stationed in Japan. Bruce was notorious for ALWAYS bidding higher than anyone at the table…even when he had a bad hand. To this day, it’s a joke among all his card-playing buddies. He will be forever remembered for his jokes, smiles and hospitality.

Viewing will be at 11 AM and Mass at 11:30 AM on Mon. Nov. 16 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5125 So. Apopka-Vineland Road with Father John Giel. Full military honors will follow at 2:30 PM at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513.

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