Bruce Ray Shultis, 92, quietly passed away on December 9, 2024 at Bassett Hospital ICU after a brief illness.

Bruce was born at Aurelia Osborne Fox Memorial Hospital, the son of Francis Edmund Shultis and Gertrude Martha (Champlin) Shultis.

He spent most of his life in the Otego and the Good Year Lake area.  On July 14, 1950, he married Joyce Ann Beers in the town of Otego.

Upon graduation from Otego Central School, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and served aboard the USS Nantahala AO-60; and later, the USS Maury GS-16 (a survey ship), attaining the rank of DC-2. Most of his sea duty was spent with NATO Operations in the Mediterranean Sea, 1951-1955.

Once discharged, he spent his remaining working years as a tradesman in residential and commercial construction.  He was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, primarily in the supervisory field.  His final tenure in the workforce was as a Carpenter Foreman at Hartwick College, aiding in the major physical growth of the college during those 12 years.

Bruce was an active member in the Otego community as a member and elder in the Presbyterian Church, and later as a member and trustee in the Otego Methodist Church.  As a member and past commander, he helped build the Otego American Legion Post 1555.  He was also a charter member, past president, and director of the O-T-GO Sno-Goers.  After building a home on Goodyear Lake in the Milford area, Bruce served on the Planning Board of Appeals, and as director, vice-president and president of the Goodyear Lake Association.

Bruce was an avid camper, boater, snowmobiler, motorcyclist, and traveler. He was adept at

many construction-related jobs including welding and electrical work. He designed and built two homes with many creative built-ins for his family and created many unique toys for his grandchildren including rocking horses, cradles, hope chests, toy chests, and a variety of doll furniture in his woodworking shop.  A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, Bruce enriched the lives of those around him with his generosity and love.

He is survived by his wife of 74½ years; two daughters, Raenelle (Charles) Robinson of Stuart, Florida and Jolayne (David) Zorda of Unadilla, New York; two sons, Jeffrey (Betsy) Shultis of Otego, New York and Stephen Shultis (special friend - Ana Albu), of Wells Bridge, New York.  Seven grandchildren survive him, Shanone (Chris) Berg of Drake, North Dakota, Jay (Sonia) Shultis of Oneonta, New York, Tara (Duncan) Eidse of Tucson, Arizona, Nicholas (Kristy) Zorda of Smithville, Missouri, Kirbey (Jeremiah) Baker of Unadilla, New York, Angelina Shultis of Unadilla, New York, and Julie Shultis of Otego, New York. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, Cooper, Cali Jae, Sun-ah, Tru Bruce, Paulina, Stella, Lyndzie, Dawson, and Genesis.

In addition, Bruce is survived by sisters-in-law, Irmabelle (Charles), Sheldon, Dawn (Charles) Beers; and brothers-in-law, John (Mary) Carson and Ted (Terri) Beers.

Bruce was predeceased by a granddaughter, Jennifer Lynn Robinson (1988); brother, Leon Shultis (2001); sister, Mary (John) Carson (2023); brothers-in-law, Charles (Irmabelle) Sheldon, Charles (Dawn) Beers, and Gordon (Deanna) Utter; sister-in-law, Deanna (Gordon) Utter.

Donations can be made in Bruce's name to the Otego Methodist Church or the Otego American Legion or Habitat for Humanities.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date in the Otego Methodist Church followed by Military Honors bestowed at the Evergreen Cemetery gravesite by Naval representatives and the Otego American Legion.