1932
Bruce
2014
Bruce Katzmann
September 6, 1932 — March 15, 2014
Bruce D. Katzmann, 81, of Fayetteville, PA, passed away Saturday evening, March 15, 2014 in the Chambersburg Hospital. Born September 6, 1932 in West New York, NJ, he is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary; his beloved daughter, April Cappello and husband Tom; and his loving granddaughter, Alexandra.
Bruce served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954 and sailed aboard the U.S.S. Salem as an ET2. After his discharge he followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and became a stagehand on Broadway. He left the business to attend Jersey City State College where he received his BA Degree and went on to teach high school English in Elizabeth, NJ. Bruce then left teaching and resumed his career in show business. He joined the Metropolitan Opera and often said that he started by sweeping the stage. He became an electrician (Lighting Technician) and advanced to Lighting Director. He loved the opera and retired after 40 years. After his retirement, the Opera’s General Manager, Joe Volpe, said that all he ever wanted to do was place Bruce on a stool and ask him questions. His knowledge of stagecraft was extensive and he was known to be a problem solver. At one point in his career, Sir Rudolph Bing met Bruce and said, “Ah, this is the famous Bruce.” He ended his career at the Met as the Electrical Superintendent. Upon his retirement, he and his Mary moved to Pennsylvania and lived in the Penn National Community.
He was a member of George Washington Lodge, #143 F&AM, a member and PHP of George Washington Royal Arch Chapter #176, a member and Marshall of George Washington Council #66, a member and Captain General of Continental Commandry #56, a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory of the Valley of Harrisburg and the Shippensburg Scottish Rite Club, a member and Past President of the Franklin County High Twelve Club #726, a member of Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW, the Zembo Shrine of Harrisburg, the Franklin County Shrine Club, a member and Past Sovereign Master of Benjamin Franklin Council #404 of AMD, a member of Good Samaritan Mark Lodge #139, and a member of the USS Salem Association. Bruce will be remembered as a quiet man who was full of humor and treasured his friends. Fridays would find him lunching with the guys that he considered his good buddies. He was a lovely, lovely man.
The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM Friday, April 25, 2014 at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA, where a Masonic Service will be conducted by members of George Washington Lodge #143 F&AM at 2:00 PM. Following cremation, Bruce’s remains will be buried at sea by the U.S. Navy with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital by mailing a donation to the Office of Development, Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or online at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.
Bruce served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954 and sailed aboard the U.S.S. Salem as an ET2. After his discharge he followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and became a stagehand on Broadway. He left the business to attend Jersey City State College where he received his BA Degree and went on to teach high school English in Elizabeth, NJ. Bruce then left teaching and resumed his career in show business. He joined the Metropolitan Opera and often said that he started by sweeping the stage. He became an electrician (Lighting Technician) and advanced to Lighting Director. He loved the opera and retired after 40 years. After his retirement, the Opera’s General Manager, Joe Volpe, said that all he ever wanted to do was place Bruce on a stool and ask him questions. His knowledge of stagecraft was extensive and he was known to be a problem solver. At one point in his career, Sir Rudolph Bing met Bruce and said, “Ah, this is the famous Bruce.” He ended his career at the Met as the Electrical Superintendent. Upon his retirement, he and his Mary moved to Pennsylvania and lived in the Penn National Community.
He was a member of George Washington Lodge, #143 F&AM, a member and PHP of George Washington Royal Arch Chapter #176, a member and Marshall of George Washington Council #66, a member and Captain General of Continental Commandry #56, a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory of the Valley of Harrisburg and the Shippensburg Scottish Rite Club, a member and Past President of the Franklin County High Twelve Club #726, a member of Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW, the Zembo Shrine of Harrisburg, the Franklin County Shrine Club, a member and Past Sovereign Master of Benjamin Franklin Council #404 of AMD, a member of Good Samaritan Mark Lodge #139, and a member of the USS Salem Association. Bruce will be remembered as a quiet man who was full of humor and treasured his friends. Fridays would find him lunching with the guys that he considered his good buddies. He was a lovely, lovely man.
The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM Friday, April 25, 2014 at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA, where a Masonic Service will be conducted by members of George Washington Lodge #143 F&AM at 2:00 PM. Following cremation, Bruce’s remains will be buried at sea by the U.S. Navy with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital by mailing a donation to the Office of Development, Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or online at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.
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