Bruce Clayton Callender was born in Boston, MA to the late Ebden Vincent and Phyllis (Nelson) Callender on Mother’s Day May 9, 1953. He attended Boston Public Schools and graduated from Medford High School in 1973. He also attended Northeastern University for a brief time.
Growing up, Bruce held several jobs starting with working in his family’s business, Callenders’ Fish Market in Mattapan, MA, Cable Vision Boston, Federal Bureau of Halfway Houses, Boston and was a Sheriff for Suffolk County House of Corrections, Boston, MA before he retired after a job-related incident that left him with a serious back injury.
In 1988, Bruce married Sharon (Thompson Gray) and together they raised two sons Anthony (Gray) and Vincent. Bruce was proud of his sons and would tell anyone who would listen, about their accomplishments. Bruce loved fishing locally at DW Field in Brockton, around the South Shore and on the Cape sailing out of Hyannis. He spent his leisure time watching westerns especially those with John Wayne, National Geographic, and Alaskan Living on the Grid programs.
Bruce loved his family and friends and was known for giving good advice to those who asked, especially his nieces and nephews. With his wife by his side, he enjoyed travelling, dining out often eating cherrystones, and attending many Boston social events. Bruce was proud of his home, fixing anything that broke (his email was dadfix), and making sure that the lawn was always manicured. Some will remember him saying, “Don’t Walk on the Grass.”
Bruce is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Sharon; sons Anthony (Patricia) of Raynham, MA, Vincent of East Point, GA; siblings, Wayne, Mark and Stacey Callender; aunt, Olga Callender; uncles, Lenny Nelson and Ronald Callender; in-laws Richard and Rochelle (Niles) Daniels, Priscilla Paul, Roderick and Valeria Niles and Theresa Swinson; nieces and nephews, Ava (Callender) and David Concepcion, Rachelle Callender; Joshua, Jonathan and Maya Swinson; Shamika and Marissa Callender; Leanda, Podress, Gemini and Bobby Niles; George (Mica) Paul III, Danyella (Ibrahim) Kouakou, Marquis Mclean; Allurie (Socrates) Cribb and Austin Niles; godchildren Marilyn Mosby of Baltimore, MD and Dr. Rasheed (Audra) Meadows of San Diego, CA; and a host of great-nieces/nephews, great-great nieces/nephews, cousins, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ebden and Phyllis Callender, his brothers Rodney Callender and Ebden “Junior” Callender and nephew Tyrone Callender.
Final Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Roxbury, MA 02119 www.DavisofBoston.com
