Bruce Donald Jennings
Bruce Donald Jennings, beloved father, son, brother, and cherished friend, passed away on April 5, 2025. Born on August 1, 1958, Bruce was a lifelong resident of Long Beach Island, NJ, a community he deeply loved and proudly served. Bruce was the devoted father of Jason Jennings and Taylor Jennings, loving son of Donald and Gilda Jennings, and brother of Donna Norton. His presence was larger than life, his laughter infectious, and his heart generous. Bruce proudly owned and operated a successful house painting business, renowned for quality and integrity throughout Long Beach Island. His true passion, however, was the Barnegat Bay, where he was widely recognized as an incredibly adept bayman. Bruce’s unparalleled knowledge of the bay was born from countless days spent clamming, duck hunting, offshore fishing, and reveling in the excitement of the Garvey boat races.
In his younger days, Bruce enjoyed summer nights working at Joe Pop’s Shore Bar and sharing memorable times with friends at Baker’s Porthole. An avid sports enthusiast, he loved NASCAR races, Sunday football, and faithfully cheering on his Philadelphia Eagles. A Rock n’ Roll aficionado with impeccable taste, Bruce found solace and joy in music, especially in the timeless songs of Bruce Springsteen.
Bruce’s greatest joy was undoubtedly the time he spent with his children, Jason and Taylor, creating countless memories they will carry forever.
A celebration of Bruce’s life will be announced at a later date.
“For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside, that it ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive.” – Badlands, Bruce Springsteen
Many fond memories of Bruce growing up in ship bottom. Bruce was one of my first friends after moving to the island from Secaucus in in the late sixties . Introducing my city boy ass to the island/ Bay life . Garveys , Sneakboxes. And Duck hunting on the sometimes iced over Bay in the fall & winter , Surfing, skate boarding, hanging at the 25th st arcade & chasing girls , during those glorious days of summer. Bruce was a tough act to follow as he was always , the strongest, fastest, tallest , most talented duck carver ,always tanner , much better looking, that smile was hard to beat .. Lol . But he was a true friend , leader , and always kind . One of my fondest memories is Bruce’s live wildfowl Collection and habitat he built on the bay behind his parents house, between two bulkheads when his pop built the new one . Every wild migratory bird was represented!! At least that’s how I remember it. He was the embodiment of LBI . I will miss him . R.I.P. Bruce
I remember many times riding dirt bikes with Bruce at the gravel pits. He was a very skilled rider and we all were in awe of his 125 Husqvarna. Great memories!
God Bless, we all had some times going through SRHS & graduating in 76 & growing up in a great time 💔
Love to share a childhood memory. Bruce always wanted a tree house but growing up on LBI we didn't have any trees..so he gathered all the lumber my dad had on the property and built a treehouse. Of course it looked.like a homeless shelter. One day coming home from school we realized that the police condemned it!! We never let him forget it. And he never took it down. Love my brother. Glory Days Dona
My Dear Bruce, I will always remember your beautiful smile, your love of life and the happiness you'd feel listening to Bruce Springsteen's music while clamming in the bay or cruising in your corvette on LBI. The Port Hole and Joe Pop's were 2 of your favorite spots to hang out drinking Yuengling, shooting pool and listening to popular Jersey shore bands. Bruce, the older I get, the more I realize what really matters. You matter and you always will. I know you're out there somewhere boating on endless waters and never forget that one day you'll "Meet me in a land of hope and dreams." Love you my friend!! ❤️
Hanging out at Joe Pop's, Sunday's mens league soccer games, going to Florida in his custom van. Seeing his hatch cover carvings.... You will be missed. RIP Bruce
Hanging out at Joe Pop's, Sunday's mens league soccer games, going to Florida in his custom van. Seeing his hatch cover carvings.... You will be missed. RIP Bruce
Hanging out at Joe Pop’s, Sunday’s mens league soccer games, going to Florida in his custom van. Seeing his hatch cover carvings….
You will be missed. RIP Bruce
Hanging out at Joe Pop’s, Sunday’s mens league soccer games, going to Florida in his custom van. Seeing his hatch cover carvings….
You will be missed. RIP Bruce
My Dear Bruce,
I will always remember your beautiful smile, your love of life and the happiness you’d feel listening to Bruce Springsteen’s music while clamming in the bay or cruising in your corvette on LBI. The Port Hole and Joe Pop’s were 2 of your favorite spots to hang out drinking Yuengling, shooting pool and listening to popular Jersey shore bands. Bruce, the older I get, the more I realize what really matters. You matter and you always will. I know you’re out there somewhere boating on endless waters and never forget that one day you’ll “Meet me in a land of hope and dreams.” Love you my friend!! ❤️
Love to share a childhood memory. Bruce always wanted a tree house but growing up on LBI we didn’t have any trees..so he gathered all the lumber my dad had on the property and built a treehouse. Of course it looked.like a homeless shelter. One day coming home from school we realized that the police condemned it!! We never let him forget it. And he never took it down. Love my brother. Glory Days Dona
God Bless, we all had some times going through SRHS & graduating in 76 & growing up in a great time 💔
I remember many times riding dirt bikes with Bruce at the gravel pits. He was a very skilled rider and we all were in awe of his 125 Husqvarna. Great memories!
Many fond memories of Bruce growing up in ship bottom. Bruce was one of my first friends after moving to the island from Secaucus in in the late sixties . Introducing my city boy ass to the island/ Bay life . Garveys , Sneakboxes. And Duck hunting on the sometimes iced over Bay in the fall & winter , Surfing, skate boarding, hanging at the 25th st arcade & chasing girls , during those glorious days of summer. Bruce was a tough act to follow as he was always , the strongest, fastest, tallest , most talented duck carver ,always tanner , much better looking, that smile was hard to beat .. Lol . But he was a true friend , leader , and always kind . One of my fondest memories is Bruce’s live wildfowl Collection and habitat he built on the bay behind his parents house, between two bulkheads when his pop built the new one . Every wild migratory bird was represented!! At least that’s how I remember it.
He was the embodiment of LBI . I will miss him . R.I.P. Bruce