Bruce Allan Bellingham, 71, of Coventry, Professor Emeritus at the University of Connecticut died suddenly of a heart attack on January 3. Born in Hamilton Ontario, he received his Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Toronto. A consummate musician, Bruce was known throughout the region for his love of music; his enthusiasm for performing his stand-up Bass in Jazz ensembles and with orchestras; his passion for all things Victorian; and his desire for people of all ages to participate, perform in, and be educated about music. He joined the Faculty of the Eastman School of Music in 1968, and began his career at the University of Connecticut as a Professor of Music History at the School of Fine Arts in 1974. He and his late wife Patricia bought a house "on the Hill" in Willimantic and began its restoration, which was instrumental in the current renewed interest in Victorian architecture and culture. His love for the city and all things Victorian led to the creation of the Willimantic Victorian Neighborhood Association in 1997. Although he made his final home in Coventry, he remained committed to Willimantic and actively involved in its activities. Bruce retired from academic life in 2003, and began his second "career' with his wife Deborah Walsh. Together they became master gardeners, traveled the world, built a fine Victorian home in a cow pasture and created gardens of splendor from the cuttings gifted to them by the many friends they shared. Bruce's love of music and the performing arts continued until his death. He was an active member of the New Britain Symphony, the Amphibian Jazz Ensemble and the Viola de Gamba society, as well as Chairman of the Hop River Chamber Music series. He performed regularly with musician friends, lectured extensively, and continued to write scholarly articles about music. His preconcert lectures at the Jorgensen and his teachings at CLIR (Center for Learning in Retirement) at UConn and the Adult Learning Program (ALP) in West Hartford were very popular. Never idle, he leaves several unfinished projects in the areas of promoting music for local youth, local history, organic gardening, and mole repatriation. The neighborhood surrounding his home in Coventry has been diligently kept clean as a result of his daily walks with Deb as they forged through bramble and briar to pick up litter that he so detested with his "grabber". He was predeceased by his father William Bellingham and first wife Patricia. He is survived by his mother Vera Barlow; his son Michael Bellingham; his sister Sylvia McLeod and her husband Ian; his three step-children, Kathleen Krider, Nathan Krider and his wife Erin Steadman, Daniel Krider and his wife Jennifer; as well as his three grandchildren, Levi and Asa Petersen and Ian Krider. Also, he leaves his wife and companion in all things, Deborah Walsh Bellingham. There are no calling hours. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday January 10th, 3:00 p.m. at von der Mehden Recital Hall on the campus of the University of CT. Memorial donations may be made in Bruce's memory to the UConn Foundation-Jorgensen Director's Fund, Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, University of Connecticut, 2132 Hillside Road, U-3104, Storrs CT, 06269-3104 or the Willimantic Victorian Neighborhood Association at 202 Lewiston Avenue, Willimantic CT 06226. For online memorial guestbook please visit
www.potterfuneralhome.com
.