Bruce E. Betts

Harwinton - Bruce E. Betts, 72, passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at home surrounded by his loving family.  He was the husband of Cathy Betts, married 46 years.

            Bruce was born on Nov. 27, 1945 in Springfield, VT., son of the late Dorothy Betts .    Growing up over a movie theater, he and his brother, Terry, enjoyed many wonderful hours watching classic movies, (especially John Wayne), developing his love of film throughout his entire life.                                                                                                                                              

A graduate of Springfield High School, he pursued a B.A. and Masters degree in History and Geography from Oklahoma University and a sixth year from UConn. He taught history at Torrington High School for 37 plus years to thousands of students, sometimes spanning generations.  His love and passion for teaching shined in the halls of Torrington High and in the hearts of countless students.

Bruce’s family will always cherish his wonderful smile and his kindness remembering his quick wit and endless capacity for making life fun. He courageously battled an illness that tried to rob him of so many of the things he enjoyed, but it never took away his gentle heart and love for God and in the goodness of people.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, son Michael Betts and daughter Kelly Jambo (husband Brian) and three grandchildren, Ava, Wyatt and Grace Jambo, his brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Lynnell Betts, along with many nieces and nephews. 

Bruce lived a life of kindness and generosity and although family and friends will miss him dearly, we celebrate knowing his final journey is a celebration and not an end, the beginning of bringing him where he had asked to be for months – HOME.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 160 Main Street, Torrington. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Torrington.  Friends may call Friday January 19, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St. Torrington. 

At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Service of CT, 62 Commercial Blvd., Torrington, CT 06790 or the ALS Association-CT, 4 Oxford Rd., Milford, CT. 06460.   

 Service Information