Obituary of Bruce Frank Kigas

Bruce F. Kigas, 82,  of Zion Crossroads, VA and formerly Bangor and Brewer, died Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the Hospice of the Piedmont Center for Acute Hospice Care in Charlottesville, VA. Bruce was born November 22, 1941 in Chicago, IL to Frank Kigas and Marie Michaud Milhalko.

Bruce served in the United States Air Force in Korea during the Vietnam War. This is where he began his warrior spirit. He belonged to the Naval Reserve (Seabees) and is a life member of the VFW Post 10087 in Beverly Hills, FL and the Korean WarVet Association. Bruce was a member of the Bangor, Maine Fire Dept. for 20 years retiring as Asst. Fire Chief. While at Bangor Fire, he was instrumental in starting the Bangor Arson Squad, a training program, and the annex to the Public Library. He also became a State Fire Service Instructor.Bruce was a member of the Maine Fire Chiefs Association since 1977 and President of the Association in 1991. He served as Asst. Chief in the Town of Veazie for one year. Retirement was not one of Bruce's long suits. In 1987, Bruce joined the Brewer Fire Dept. as Chief until 1997. When you have it in your blood, you have it in your blood and as a firefighter, he continued with his warrior spirit.

Bruce belonged to many charitable and social organizations during his life including as a member of the Brewer Kiwanis Club through the ranks to Distinguished Past President. He was the President of the Downeast Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association for several years, a member and Director of the Hernando Lions Club in Hernando, Florida and Sgt -of- Arms of the Florida District O International Lions Club. Bruce served on many Boards including executive and advisory boards for The Salvation Army, Bangor Hose 5 Museum and member to the Engine 303 Restoration Committee. In Florida, he started a teaching program to make rosaries to be distributed throughout the world, “The Rosary Makers of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church”. He continued this important work while living in Virginia for our church, St. lsidore the Farmer Catholic Church. He made literally thousands of rosaries right up until the last few months of his life. This devotion to Mary gave him comfort knowing his time on this earth was ending, again, the warrior spirit.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents, and infant son, Timothy and a stepdaughter, Amy Palmieri. Left to cherish his memory, Bruce is survived by his wife and caregiver, Anne “Terry” Murtha of Zion Crossroads, Va., a sister Lavonne Catuara of Oak Forest, IL., a son, Scott Kigas and wife Michelle and family of Veazie, stepdaughter and caregiver, Sandra  and husband Geoffrey McGarrigle of Orange, VA., grandsons, Zachary Kigas of Coventry, RI., Dorninic McGarrigle and wife Deanna of Voluntown, CT and David McGarrigle and partner Gabriella Whitford of Charlottesville, VA., a niece, Marie D'Amico and husband Steve and family of Oak Forest, IL., sister-in-law, Celie Murtha and husband Nick Baudanza; nephews, Joseph and Christopher Baudanza of Bangor and former daughter-in-law, Zack's mom, Jennifer and husband Ryan Baker of Brewer.

Bruce requested that he be cremated. A funeral mass was held at St. lsidore the Farmer Catholic Church on March 19, 2024 with Fr Terrance Staples, celebrant. In his remarks Fr. Staples mentioned Bruce's warrior spirit having been called to the house or hospital over the years to be given the Blessing of the Sick and Last Rites. You are all good now, Bruce, good and faithful servant. A memorial service will be held at the Elks Club in Bangor on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 12: 00 noon to 2:00 PM. Ceremonies will follow and immediately after a private service at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery will be held for the family. Donations in Bruce's memory may be made to Hose 5 Fire Museum, 247 State St., Bangor, ME 04401 or Brewer Fire Engine 303 Resto ration, 151 Parkway South , Brewer, ME 04412. Message and memories may be shared with his family on the tribute wall of  kileyandfoley.com.