"Oh what a good guy our Big Brother Bruce was. I am not biologically related to either Bruce or Cyndee but I felt like full family with them over the years. They stayed in touch long after leaving my Tai Chi classes and the area of Humboldt County.

But what Bruce left with me will never leave, and that is the abiding comfort of knowing from his wise perspective that in life, no matter what happens to us, "EVERYTHING IS A GIFT!" direct from the Universe and the Divine Beloved Source. Nothing happens to us that is not ultimately to our own higher good. F.M.G. means For My Good or For My Growth, and Bruce knew that. He knew that "nothing happens to us but everything happens for us." His monumental love was as big as the sky. He loved God and Cyndee and all of us ...life itself...with all his heart. In his memory I chose the same today....to love life on its terms, not as I expect or want it to be....but just as it is...the ups and the downs. The darks and the lights. Thank you Brother Bruce...you live on in our hearts forever. Thanks to you and Cyndee for all the love, support, nurturing, wisdom, and most of all....laughter you provided and continue to deliver in our heart/minds. Beloved Bruce, gone but not gone, and NEVER forgotten!"

Knight Family

Will be missed but not forgotten. As many of you know traveling with Bruce was always a great adventure.  I was lucky enough to travel with him several times. This picture is a cherished memory for my family.  Rest in peace. 

Once again, on the back of the card, Bruce added the hand-written words, "Know that it will all be OK". I feel like he is still speaking kind words to us all.

Looking for one of his cards, the first one I found is this DONUT PANIC with reassuring message "IT Will All Be OK", and I found it comforting tonight.

This is the front of the card, teasing me about panic attacks

This was written by Bruce on the inside of a silly card he sent entitled "DONUT PANIC"

Dearest Cyndee and family,

    I just learned, minutes ago, opening the email from  you, and I am heart-broken and in a state of shock. It stopped my mind.  Hard to find words.  I just thought Bruce would go on forever.  He had that kind of strength and steadfastness about him. I am so, so sad to hear this news tonight. 

  What a loss for you,  the family, and all of us who knew this kind and gentle man.  His sense of humor, combined with yours,, was like a powerful medicine...an antidote....to the all the ills of the world. So much love in his heart for everyone! And for cats! And for all God's creatures.  I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. 

  He never failed to pick my spirits up when I felt low.  He always had a joke, an inspirational quote, or an impromptu, spontaneous way of taking the high ground on any and all things in life. 

  It was from Bruce and you, Cyndee, that I learn my largest spiritual lesson....that everything is a gift.  That phrase "everything is a gift" got me through the roughest patch of physical illness in my life.  I will always be grateful, and will do my best to live that truth, even though I am devastated tonight to learn of his passing, and hard-pressed at this moment to see it.  Perhaps the gift will be to keep his kindness and good works alive in my heart and in my own life. 

  His surrender and commitment to the Divine was so inspirational....even with his health challenges, I never heard a single complaint.   His generosity legendary.  Far above and beyond most of us, he gave and gave and gave.  What a huge hole in our hearts with the loss of this gentle giant.  He will be so missed.  I will carry him in my heart forever. 

Au Revoir dear Bruce,  you are unforgettable....such a beautiful soul.  

With deepest sympathy,

Glenda Hesseltine

Dear Reynolds Family,

During this difficult time I want to give my sincerest condolences. Loosing a loved one is an extremely difficult thing in life, and we are left with heartache and sorrow. May you and and your family find in comfort in knowing that our God Jehovah deeply cares for you and your family. He will soon reverse the effects of death by bringing a resurrection. John 5:28,29 says: “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” May this promise that will soon be fulfilled give you strength. 

So passes Robert the BRUCE Reynolds, namesake of a Scottish prince. As was Bruce. He was a close, loyal and steadfast friend for many years, especially during our time at Our Lady of Lourdes and Alemany High. Throughout those years, I spent countless hours at the Reynolds household at the end of the Canby culdesac up from the Church. A household that was often loud, always loving with action all around. From Granny making another batch of the dreaded date shakes in the kitchen to the most recent of the brood of ultimately 11 somewhere underfoot to walking down the main hallway that was painted in a jungle motif by John.  And spending time with  "the Senator," Bruce's grandfather who had once been in politics, telling stories to which we listened with rapt attention.  Thom too a great friend of Paul Haughey and I, through our connections to Boy Scouts and a shared love of backpacking- who has also passed. Bruce was always upbeat- I can't recall him ever being down and out. He was smart, spiritual, funny and in his day could throw a mean fastball and finish a drive to the basket with a sweet bank shot off the board. He had an uncanny sense of direction and geography that I fundamentally lacked- a human Google Maps, so to speak. He was a proud St. Mary's Gael (as was Thom). Notre Dame and Oakland Raider fan (Larry Edwards rooted for the Chiefs and me the Chargers- the three of us adopting the AFL early on). He translated his love of sports and from working in his father's coin business into a sports memorabilia business. He was a teacher and caretaker. Bruce and I did stay in touch with him usually taking the initiative- in particular in the last 10 years or so. But it wasn't always easy (who doesn't use email?). Bruce was generous- with his time, handwritten cards and letters, and in other ways. For example, knowing my lifelong love of the SF Giants, he once gave me baseballs signed by Willie Mays and Willie McCovey, both on proud display in my home office. Amazing how time seems to pass like the pavement under a car speeding down the interstate. I can still see in my mind's eye us playing football in the street on Canby, and shooting baskets into the hoop mounted at the front of the carpark in the driveway, and engaging in shenanigans when visiting Thom at St. Mary's- before Bruce himself attended there. Goodby sweet prince.

Bruce showing me (Paul), to my amazement, all the contents of his pockets. Including a flip phone.

Bruce & Paul at dinner - we shared a hotel room for the 2018 OLOL reunion

Haning out at Dan's parents home before 2018 Our Lady of Lourdes reunion — with Left to Right: Bruce and Paul Haughey

Last poem Bruce sent to Paul Haughey with Christmas card

Bruce 6th grade class photo

Bruce was one of my best friends from the Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL) grade school and Boy Scout troop 550.  Along with Dan O'Daly, the three of us had many good times together. It was great to see him in person at the OLOL reunion in 2018. I called him Mr. Encyclopedia in grade school because of all the trivia he knew. He was funny and voluble. He was a sports nut, and a collector of all sorts of sports memorabilia. Bruce was one of 11 kids, so it was always a madhouse visiting his home.  Once, Dan, Bruce & I rode our bikes from Northridge over the Santa Susana pass road (now the 118 freeway), and before we knew it, we were in Ventura, 50 miles away. When we got to Ventura, we were exhausted, but there was no way we were going to call our parents for help and let them know we'd gone so far from home. Bruce was riding his little brother's banana seat one speed, with his knees pointed up because it was too small. Dan & I had our 3-speeds. The nut on my rear wheel came off in the middle of nowhere in Simi Valley, so Bruce rode back 2 miles to a gas station we passed to borrow a wrench, and came back and fixed it, then rode back to return the wrench. That's just an example of Bruce's generosity and friendship.  

Bruce would send me a Christmas card each year with an original poem each time. I attached a photo of the last poem from last month. RIP, Sir Robert Bruce.

Cal vs Nevada football

Cyndee ❤️ Bruce

1995 To Eternity

Robert Bruce [Patrick*] Reynolds, Jr.

[*His Confirmation Name]

He held everyone of his family and friends in his prayers every day.  A man of quiet faith.  Truly a "man of letters."  Treasure his writings.  Cherish his memory.

"...Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me...you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." [From Psalm 23]

"Arise, says the Lord, have no fear within you for in my presence there will be no darkness...you are the light of the world.

I am the light of the world, says the Lord; they who follow me will have the light of life." [From his favorite Catholic hymn: "I Am The Light Of The World" (Hurd/Hayakawa)]

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.  May he rest in peace.

Bruce was the light of my heart and my life.