Harry Bruce Knowles, affectionately known as "Brucie", by his many dear friends went to be in the arms of his Heavenly Father on February 2nd, 2024. Bruce fought a valiant fight with Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the bones and blood which is known to be caused by contact with a chemical pesticide called Agent Orange, which was sprayed on the foliage so that the opposition could be seen in the dense jungles where Bruce was stationed in Chu Lai, Vietnam 1968-69. Bruce was drafted in 1968, he was in the Americal Division, in combat and minesweeping. After Bruce's diagnosis with Multiple Myeloma on Christmas Day in 2005, he bravely fought numerous other deeply disabling illnesses right up to his passing.

Bruce was born on October 2, 1948, to his loving parents William Harry and Adelle Beccaise Knowles, at the old Galey Hospital on Eaton Street in Key West. He began working at the age of 9, after school and on weekends to help his family make ends meet. After graduation from KWHS, class of 1966, he was a Specialty Technician for 18 years with the cable TV industry where he was loved by his fellow workers, and later all of his employees. Even in squally, almost hurricane conditions, Key Westers knew that Bruce was up on those lines from Key West to Big Pine working to make sure weather reports went through. He then went on to become a proud Postal Carrier. He worked with the Postal Service for 23 years. Bruce loved his job, his coworkers, and his many customers.

Bruce and his wife Tina had known each other since they were young, and were the best of friends, going fishing and riding bikes all over Key West. He was even by her side, being deeply involved in her care and complications through her childhood illness when she was 16, and he was 18. She was deathly ill, and he was her strength and carried her through until she was better. Eventually they grew older and fell in love and were married for 54 years. They had a beautiful daughter Erika, who miraculously was born on the same calendar day as Bruce, which is October 2nd. In the Catholic faith, this date known as the Feast of The Holy Angels.

Bruce profoundly loved the Lord, his faith and fellowship as a lifetime member of The Basilica of St. Mary Star of The Sea. He was a Eucharistic Minister, Greeter at St. Mary's, and Greeter at the Spiritual Renewal Center after 7:30 AM Mass every Sunday. He was a member of the Greyhound Rescue League, bringing in foster dogs who often became adopted, well loved, members of the Knowles family. He was also a member of St. Jude Children's Hospital, Angel Flight, Key West Post Office- Local Union Branch 818, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Brucie is survived by his loving wife Christina (Tina) Knowles, his precious daughter Erika Knowles Brent, loyal Son-In-Law Josh Brent, and cherished sister Marilyn Lowe of Deltona, FL as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous dear friends. The Knowles family would also like to thank Bob Killen who acted as caretaker, as well as Henry (Hank) Niles who was Brucie's childhood friend. Bruce was preceded in death by his sister Peggy Vaughn and brother Richard Ted Knowles. The family wishes to express profound gratitude to Dr. Norman Tingle, Dr. Taweh Beyselow, and Dr. Frederick Wittlin.

Services will be Saturday 2/17/24 at 1:00 PM. Location: The Basilica of Saint Mary Star of The Sea in Key West, FL. Bruce asked that any donations in his remembrance be made to:

St. Jude Children's Hospital
The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea
Angel Flight