Bruce Gilmore

Bruce Gilmore was born on July 26, 1952 in Chicago, IL to Willie Gilmore, Jr. and Nadine Gilmore. At that time the family included Nadine’s son Gerald A. Cook (b. 1943). Bruce was preceded in death by both parents.

Willie Jr. and Nadine were blessed with another son, Willie A. Gilmore in February of 1954. Nadine became ill and passed away in November of 1955.

Willie Jr. arrived in Chicago from Bessemer AL in 1946 and was “on the road” for the Chicago and Northwestern RR. As a result, arrangements were made for the two boys to live temporarily with Nadine’s parents Andrew and Lula Jackson. Big brother Gerald helped to watch over them.

As toddlers, Bruce and Willie were sent “back home" to be raised by their father’s sister Mattie Moss. After a while, they were returned to Chicago and cared for by their father’s 1st cousin Hattie Summers, so that Willie Jr. could see the boys more often.

In April 1962, he married Ruby L. Smith and formed a family that brought his two boys and her four children, Cherryl, Verdell, Louise, and Frederick together under one roof.

With the guidance of Willie Jr. and Ruby, Bruce and all of the children received home training, were taught Christian values, and encouraged to focus on their school work. All were baptized at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Bruce was quiet and observant, but at the same time unfiltered and not shy. It wasn’t unusual for him to sit back and absorb the conversation or events going on around him and then state his point of view in just a few words.

Bruce had the stature and the heart to be competitive in sports. He played varsity football and was on the track team at John Marshall HS where he graduated in 1970. He was a fitness enthusiast and regularly ran in local 5K events like the Turkey Trot.

Bruce began active duty with the US Army in 1980 in Los Angeles, CA. He rose to the rank of SP4- Radio Operator and received an honorable discharge in 1983. He re-enlisted, completing his reserve obligation in 1987 with the same specialty and was discharged in Fort Carson, CO.

Bruce made his transition on September 16, 2021 in Milwaukee, WI. He was not married and had no children.

He was preceded in death by his step mother Ruby L. Gilmore and sister Verdell Smith. His memory will be cherished by brothers, Gerald, Willie (Yvette), Frederick (Carrie); sisters, Cherryl, Louise, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

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