Bruce J. Fischer ’72

Bruce J. Fischer, Swanton, VT, died January 3, 2025.

Born in Arizona, Bruce attended schools in Long Island, NY, before coming to Saint Michael’s where he earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.

In his early years, Bruce was an altar boy and attended seminary school, and from his younger days he was active in the Boy Scouts and participated in several folk Mass organizations. In college he acted in and directed many plays and developed skills as a set designer as well as an accomplished carpenter musician.

Throughout his work life Bruce wore many different hats, from production technician and TV director at Vermont PBS to manager of fleet car and truck sales and most recently, theater teacher to elementary school youth. Earlier jobs even included baker at Grand Union, and food service employee at University of Vermont.

Bruce was an active member of the Rotary Club, being an essential part of starting the Milton/Colchester Rotary Club as well as a member in other chapters in Ellsworth, ME, Barre and St. Albans. He served for a time on the Colchester Planning Commission. He was a devoted husband and father.

Bruce married Bernadette (Boutin) Fischer on June 3, 1972, in the Saint Michael’s Michael’s College Chapel. Bernadette, who survives, is the daughter of the late Bernard Boutin ’45 (first lay president of Saint Michael’s College), and the late Alice Boutin. Bruce and Bernadette were married more than 52 years.

Bruce’s other survivors include two sons, two brothers, three sisters and extended family, including brothers- and sisters-in-law Ed Boutin ’68, Joe Boutin ’69, Marie Boutin ’73, John Boutin ’79 and Sue Boutin ’81.