Bruce Charles VanNess, 56 of Bethlehem, PA died Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at home. Born January 30, 1962 in Wytheville, VA he was the son of the late Catharine (Hellick) and Charles G. VanNess. He was a 1981 graduate of Liberty High School and member of Central Moravian Church where he sang in the choir. Bruce was a civilian crossing guard for the Bethlehem Police Department for 15 years and had worked for Suburban EMS and The Café restaurant. He was also a volunteer fire fighter with the Nancy Run Fire Company for the past 13 years, a Medic 9 volunteer and member of Pink Heals, Lehigh Valley Chapter. He is survived by his uncle George F. Hellick, III (wife Mary Jo) of Hellertown, PA; cousins: Susanne Hellick, Jan Halliburton, Kate Finn; and his fellow brothers and sisters at the Nancy Run Fire Company.
Services are 10:30 AM Monday (Sept. 17) at Central Moravian Church, 73 W. Church St., Bethlehem with a calling period 10 to 10:30 AM. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Nancy Run Fire Company, 3564 Easton Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18020. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Monica
September 12, 2018 at 7:54 pm
Bruce, a truly kind soul and instant friend to all you met. You are missed, May you Rest In Peace.
Nolan Rampulla
September 12, 2018 at 8:02 pm
Bruce my brother. You were a genuine one of a kind guy. We will miss you. Hold things down up there for us. Until we meet again my friend.
Kevin m mccabe
September 12, 2018 at 9:31 pm
Rest In Peace Bruce.
Andy
September 12, 2018 at 10:16 pm
Gone but you will never be forgotten.. Your smile could light up a room. Ill miss most of all your welcoming hellos every time you’d see me. The 14 will just not be the same with out you.. Rest easy and keep an eye on us from above brother.. Till we meet again.
Jared Rampulla
September 13, 2018 at 4:30 am
BRUCIE!!! your presence and spirit can never be replaced . We will all miss you dearly keep a watchful eye on us down here and know everytime the doors open and the trucks go out you are with us .
Jacqueline Loosbroc
September 13, 2018 at 7:19 am
Bruce, we first met a long long time ago (30 some years) and altho over the years we lost touch in person we stayed in touch on Facebook. I could tell you loved what you did and had a huge family of friends who called you brother. You will be missed by many.
I have a very special memory of you from my retirement which makes me smile when I think of you.. you came to the Police Dept surprising me a dozen red roses on one of my last days of work. You were always so sweet and thoughtful.
Rest easy my dear friend and travel on with those wings you just earned. 👼
Dr. David Swoyer
September 13, 2018 at 5:37 pm
Bruce, you will be sorely missed. I always enjoyed the conversations you and I had, the laughter, and the kindness. As a student, you were a great, you thirsted for knowledge and were not afraid to ask questions. Bruce, you were one of a kind, a truly genuine person, and it was my honor to know you, to teach you and be with you. Rest in Peace my friend, and we will meet again.
Ray Nebiker
September 13, 2018 at 6:45 pm
Rest in peace Bruce. You won’t be forgotten buddy.
Sarah Woodring Cooper
September 13, 2018 at 10:40 pm
I am very saddened to hear of Bruce’s passing. I remember him playing fireman w/ my brother when we were kids! It was great when we reconnected as adults. He always reached out thru Facebook when I was in town & sent me messages checking in w/ me often which meant a lot. A truly caring person! My condolences to the family.
Joe Petraglia
September 14, 2018 at 7:42 am
Bruce, may you rest in peace. You were a friend and a great teammate on the Northeast and Liberty High School soccer teams. I still can see you running down the right wing and causing havoc with the opponent. Also remember you at Wyandotte Street and telling you to keep the traffic moving. Always had a smile on your face. Will miss you. Your friend and former teammate..
Barbara Conover
September 14, 2018 at 10:34 am
Dear George and Mary Jo:
I am so sorry to read about Bruce’s death. Of course, you know that Kay was my dear friend from the time I was one year old. And I have known Bruce since he was a small boy, with all his medical troubles — I even visited Charlie, Kay, and Bruce in perhaps two mining towns so many years ago. How brave Bruce always was!
Though I shall try to attend the funeral, my beloved husband and chauffer passed away in May and I may not be able to come But I am thinking of you, and sending my love.
Barbara Conover
Pauline Schuyler
September 14, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Bruce RIP, From Station 17 Fire Police!
Don Sabo
September 14, 2018 at 10:45 pm
Bruce was my Ambulance attendant when I was an EMT at 17. He followed me though medic school, fire chief, police academy, and command schools. Truly a genuine person. I have missed waving to him the past few days on my way to work passing his crossing guard post. I often would yell “BRUCE” out the window. I will miss the retuned “WHHAAT” yelling back. RIP Bruce. You were certainly a special person.
Michael Lenner
September 15, 2018 at 6:18 pm
Bruce, I still cannot find the words to express my pain and sorrow and I may never find them. You were a great friend, one of my best. I will echo everyone else and say you were a genuine person. You had no hate or anger, just love and loyalty. My family misses you dearly and we find it extremely difficult to accept your passing. You will be missed on drill nights. You will be missed on meeting nights. You will be missed every time I step foot into Nancy Run Fire Company. Northwest Little League will feel completely empty during Payton’s softball games with you gone, even when you would mix up the dates and show up to the field with no one there. When you couldn’t make a game you made sure Megan was notified along with pep talk message for Payton. Please keep a watchful eye on your firehouse family. We all will see you again. Keep a case of Corona ready for me. Don’t worry, I’ll brong the Korbel this time. We love and miss you, brother.
Terence R McConlogue
September 16, 2018 at 7:15 pm
I’m going to miss you Bruce…this world is a much lesser place without you, rest easy brother.