Bruce Paul Maertz, 72, a longtime resident of Clinton, passed away peacefully on April 18 at Yale New Haven Hospital. Bruce was born Nov. 23, 1950, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the late Paul Bruce Maertz and Edith Marie Wyman Maertz. He was the devoted husband of Nancy (Corrone) Maertz and a loving father to Daniel Paul Maertz (Lauren Maxim) of Pennsylvania. In addition to his wife and son, Bruce is survived by his grandchildren, Emily Paige (Donald) Grigley of Connecticut and Erick Paul (Hailey) Maertz of Massachusetts, as well as his adored great-grandchildren, Madison Grigley and Solden Paul Maertz. He was brother to Marilee Maertz and Cynthia (Charles) Ratzke, Senoia, Georgia, and brother-in-law to Anthony Corrone (Janet), Kenneth Corrone, and Joyce Corrone Woodard and their children.

Bruce graduated from Old Saybrook High School in 1968. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War from 1969 to November 1974, serving as a machinist mate in the engine rooms of the USS Ajax and the USS Hector.

After his time in the Navy, he worked as a pipefitter and then draftsman at Electric Boat General Dynamics for 38 years. He met his lifelong sweetheart, Nancy, in 1980. They have been happily married for the past 41 years.

Bruce was best known for his devotion to his family, friends, and pets. He enjoyed old movies, and he was an avid reader of historical materials. He enjoyed riding and restoring British motorcycles, proudly served as membership chairman for the British Iron Association of Connecticut, and participated fully in their summer Brit Jam events.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. May 6, at the Guilford, VFW, 57 Mill Rd., Guilford, with military honors proceeding at 11:15 a.m. Lunch will be provided around noon.

Bruce’s family wishes to express their thankfulness to the VNA nurses of Middletown and the doctors of Yale New Haven Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS, 66675–8516; www.cthumane.org

or The Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road Newington, CT 06111; www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Arrangements in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.