PLYMOUTH, MA — In the early hours of December 13, 2023, Bruce Mutchler (also known as Dad, Daddy, Grampaw, Papa, and the World’s Best Hide and Seek Champion) passed away in Plymouth, MA at age 77, after a brief illness.
Bruce was raised in Wilmington, MA. He lived with his Mom, Jerry, his Dad, Ernie, and his younger brother Billy. Not only was Billy his brother, but also his best friend. Listening to them reminisce about their childhood would always bring us so much laughter. They were like two peas in a pod and had the best of times growing up.
Though Bruce and Donna developed many friendships over the years, it is safe to say that their childhood group of friends from Wilmington was truly one of life’s greatest gifts. They have been there for each other through the celebrations and hardships of life and Bruce and Donna always felt truly blessed to have them.
Bruce met the love of his life, Donna (Fenlon), when they were just 12 and 14 years old. He was out with his mom one day when he pointed out a beautiful girl in a red coat and told her, “Mom, see that girl in the red coat? I’m going to marry her someday”. Bruce and Donna briefly “went steady” at the time until Donna asked her friend to give Bruce his promise ring back! But he didn’t give up. He finally won her over a little later in life with the letters he sent to her while stationed in Germany with the US Air Force. They married in 1969 and spent 54 wonderful years together.
Bruce and Donna raised their four children, Jason, Denise, Jennifer and Lindsey in Scituate, MA. Many great times were had on Wampatuck Ave, especially when the kids were young and Bruce was left in charge. As soon as Donna left to waitress at Pier 44, the Stones and Cars would crank, dancing would ensue and the good times would roll! Their home was always so welcoming and was the hang out spot for the kids and their friends. Bruce loved to cook for his family and friends and we always loved his cooking!
It wasn’t unusual to see Bruce taking a dip in the middle of winter. Neighbors thought he was a bit bonkers but everyone loved him because of it. He made friends wherever he went. People loved him and the ocean feared him. Whenever it tried to enter his home Bruce would somehow fight it off, even in the blizzard of ’78. Living in Sand Hills was the best time of his life, and the whole Mutchler family feels truly grateful for the years spent there.
Bruce was well known around the town of Scituate as being “the mailman who always wore shorts” even during the winter and dressed in a tuxedo on New Year’s Eve. During his 25 years working as a letter carrier, he made quite an impact on the community, especially the businesses in Scituate Harbor and his elderly clients for whom he went above and beyond. He cared deeply for people and was always appreciated for it.
At the age of 50, Bruce became a grandfather for the first of many times and what an amazing one he was. His heart became fuller with each child that was born. He was the #1 fan to each and every one of them. Whether it was watching them play sports, acting in plays, or just hanging out in the basement, his twelve grandkids were his favorite people to be around. His two oldest grandsons played hockey and there isn’t a local rink he hasn’t stepped foot in to cheer them on. He loved these kids with all he had. He was the best grandparent one could ever wish for. He will be missed beyond words and the loss the kids are feeling is immense.
He leaves his wife Donna (Fenlon) of Plymouth; his son Jason, his wife Lisa, and their children Juliana, Evan, and Jaclyn of Hanover; his daughter Denise Comeau, her husband Chris, and their children Colby, Shane, and Emmy of Kingston; his daughter Jennifer Kotlikoff, her husband Jay, and their children Petra and Cooper Littlewood and CJ and Jonny Kotlikoff of Bridgewater; daughter Lindsey Kennedy-Sita, her husband Dallas, and their children Sara and Finnian of Southborough, his brother Billy and wife Debbie of Clearwater, FL. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends.
This obituary was hard to write. There are no words that we can think of to describe the loss we are all feeling, and no matter what we write it doesn’t seem to give him justice. He truly was our world. We will miss him every single day for the remainder of our lives.
A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held at a later date to be determined. Bruce loved his family more than anything. These are words he lived by, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family”. -Mother Teresa
If you would like to make a donation in Bruce’s memory, please do so by making a donation to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island NY 10306 or to DAV-Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301,
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