Bruce O. Bent's Obituary
Bruce O. Bent, age 81, of Selbyville, DE, passed away on December 4, 2023, at Tidal Health Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, MD. He was born on October 7, 1942, in Waltham, MA, the son of the late Hannah Catherine (Bent) Houston.
Bruce graduated from John M. Clayton High School, Class of 1960. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served onboard the USS Constellation. In 1965, Bruce met the love of his life, Margaret Hudson, and married her on December 11th. They began their family and shared 57 wonderful years together before his passing. Bruce attended Delaware Technical & Community College on a VA grant, receiving his associate degree in data processing. He then obtained his CDL license and made his career driving truck for Perdue for over 30 years, where he was known as “Whiskers”. He retired in 2005, just shy of driving 2 million miles.
Bruce was a proud member of multiple associations, including Salem Church, the Masonic Lodge #37 in Dagsboro, Scottish Rite of Delaware, the Improved Order of Redmen Lewes Lodge, Degree of Pocahontas Lewes Lodge, and the American Legion Post 24 in Selbyville. He was also a member of the Maryland Retreads Motorcycle Club and the Masonic Motorcycle Club International, where he fulfilled his passion for riding his Harley as often as he could, even touring Canada. Bruce loved traveling, going on cruises, and spending time with his family. Always with a smile on his face, he was positive, loving, and a family man above all else.
In addition to his mother, Bruce was preceded in passing by his daughter, Janet Hudson, and his sister, Roxie Brown. He is survived by his wife, Margaret J. Bent; his son, Daniel Bent of Selbyville, DE; his daughter, Sonia Manning and her husband Joseph of Millsboro, DE; his son-in-law, George Hudson, I of Dagsboro, DE; his grandchildren: Kristan Miller and her husband Brandon, George Hudson, II, and Jenna Hudson; his great-grandson, Grayson Miller; and his sisters: Carey Steen and her husband EJ of Dagsboro, DE, Colleen Winterbottom of Willards, MD, Elizabeth Baxley and her husband, Clint of Florida, and Dawn Hudson of Roxana, DE.
A Funeral with Masonic Services will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023, at 11:30 AM at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington Street, Millsboro, DE 19966, where friends may call beginning at 10:30 AM. Interment with military honors will follow services at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bruce’s name to the Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company, 30 N Main St, Selbyville, DE 19975, or to Salem Church, P.O. Box 410, 29 Church St, Selbyville, DE 19975.
Please sign Bruce’s guestbook.
**Florists - flowers needed Monday morning 12-18 by 8:30 AM
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