Northampton, MA – Bruce Edward Kickery of Northampton passed away on July 6, 2026 after a short decline. Kickery was born in Pittsfield on December 2, 1942 “Number 8” of 22. and is survived by some of his 22 siblings. He is predeceased by his brothers Kenneth, John, Lawrence, Emerson, Leroy, Carl, Darrell, Darwin (recently), two brothers who died in infancy and sisters Delores Davis & Charlotte Kickery, as well as his parents Murdock and Catherine Shaw Kickery. He is survived by brothers, Wayne, Robin, Ronald and sisters, Caroline Ferry, Ethel Davis, and Charron Ouellette.
Bruce spent his early life at the Belchertown State School. There he worked in the barber shop and also served as an altar boy. Upon his release in the mid-1970s, Bruce began to make a home for himself in Northampton. He gained employment at Paul & Elizabeth’s Restaurant in 1984, at which point he became part of the Paul & Elizabeth’s family, working several mornings a week in food preparation and cleaning the restaurant. From there, Bruce became a fixture at Thornes Marketplace as well as the Northampton Brewery, making many friends and new acquaintances in his daily life. He also worked at the Academy of Music and a canine butler or dog sitter.
With his many interests and varied cadre of friends, he was truly a renaissance man. A comedian, a lover of animals, a performer in The Really Big Show as Madame Defarge and a Time Warp Dancer (in a blonde wig and makeup looking like a young Shelly Winters) in the Rocky and Bullwinkle Horror Picture Show and later as Officer Krupke (aka “Officer Cupcake”), a knitter of colorful outerwear and bedspreads, an unabashed flirt, a watcher of the Three Stooges, Law and Order, and pro wrestling, a maker of deviled eggs, a speaker at conferences for people with disabilities, a traveler (particularly nursing conferences), a model photographed as an example of an active young old person with an intellectual disability in a medical textbook, a willing participant (acting and volunteering) in local arts, a playful dancer, a crooner of 1950s melodies, an artist who colored inside and outside the lines, a devourer of spaghetti and meatballs from Joe’s, tuna mac salads from Good Thyme Deli and a loyal friend to all he met. Bruce’s answer to the secret of life was love and it was love he brought to all who knew him, whether it be through his sweet hugs, smile, heartfelt voice messages or his cackling laugh, candid responses, and sharp sense of humor (or his many proposals of marriage). Bruce’s gift, above all things, was to bring people together, to bring them joy, and to remind us all to appreciate the simple pleasures of life. A common reminder to a close friend. “We gotta take care of each and other kathyservice”. In the afterlife, as in life, he knew his rights (as he said) and demanded,
“I wanna get burned but I don’t want to be up on the refrigerator with Grandma and Lila (the dog).”
In celebration of Bruce’s life and his impact on others, there will be a gathering on Sunday, September 6, 2026 at the A.P.E. Gallery from 1-3 pm at 126 Main St., Northampton. Donuts will be served.
He truly was a witty and wise resilient man who reminded many of us in multiple ways:
“I might be ‘mentally retired’, but I’m not stupid”.
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes