Bruce Churchill

Cumberland Foreside, Maine - Bruce Lindley Churchill passed peacefully from this life into the next on July 30th, 2012 with his loving family surrounding him.

He was born a preemie on August 31, 1954 to Virginia L. and Bruce W. Churchill in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He always had a sweet smile, an outgoing personality and a wonderful sense of humor. Bruce had many interests and could have gone into any field when he graduated at the top of his class from Comstock High School. He chose medicine and became dedicated to that goal.

In 1976 Bruce received his BS in Microbiology from Michigan State University. He then attended the University of Michigan Medical School from which he received his M.D. in 1980. It was at M.S.U. that he met his future wife, Cindy. They were married in June of 1978 and would be blessed to spend 37 years together.

After medical school, Bruce chose to do his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, at Maine Medical Center. Bruce and Cindy thought that living in Portland would be a four-year adventure but they ended up making their lives in Maine.

They had three daughters, Cristina, Tessa and Leah, who were each very precious to Bruce. He instilled enthusiasm and joy in his daughters. Every activity was more fun because he was involved.

Bruce loved God, his family, his work and his patients. Over thirty years in practice he delivered about 6,000 babies. He was a good listener and a good talker. He made each of his patients feel special because he felt each patient was special. Bruce was a very active member of his church, always prayed before difficult procedures, and was an example of how to be caring.

Bruce was a gardener, an excellent trumpet player and a natural athlete. He enjoyed playing sports and watching sports. He was a gifted teacher and loved watching others learn. This was evident when he worked with OB/GYN residents, at home with his daughters, and at Greely High School when he became assistant coach for the Girls Volleyball team. Over eleven years coaching, the girls won eight State Championships. Coaching volleyball combined his love of sports with his love of teaching.

When he was diagnosed with ALS in 2007, the players and parents rallied around him. He continued to coach for the next four years and made every practice and game he could, including the State Final in the fall of 2011.

ALS may have shortened Bruce's life, but it did not define his life. He was determined, competitive, and gave his all fighting.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents, Bruce and Virginia, and by his cousin Robert Churchill. Bruce is survived by his loving wife Cindy, and daughters Cristina, Tessa, and Leah. He is also survived by sisters Connie (Blake) Hagman of Kalamazoo, Carolyn (Tom) Fehsenfeld of Grand Rapids, and Polly Churchill of Kalamazoo, as well as his cousin Roberta Churchill. Mother-in-law Vanna Ignagni, brothers and sisters-in-law, Patrizia and Frank Machnik of Kalamazoo, Joseph and Darlene Ignagni, and Claudia Ignagni will dearly miss him. He leaves eight talented and special nieces and nephews: Alan, Ben and Dana Fehsenfeld, Jennifer Copland, Rebecca Ouding, Jason and Justin Machnik, and Chelsea Ignagni. He will be missed by many close friends and colleagues.