Bruce E. Lanning

Bruce Edward Lanning, Lt. USN.ret., 81, husband of Jan (Crowley) Lanning, passed from this life to eternal life May 9, 2012 at an Ellsworth healthcare facility, the result of the ravages of diabetes. He was born May 31, 1930 in Herkimer, NY, the son of the late Edward and Elizabeth (Rice) Lanning. Bruce’s grandmothers, Mary MacArthur Lanning and Lizzie McKinnon Rice were Scots and he was so proud of his Scottish heritage.

Bruce graduated from Herkimer High School in 1947, leaving home at the age of 17 to join the Navy where he served for 23 years going from Seaman Recruit to Lt. Cmdr. At the age of 19 he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Agnes Binda of Herkimer and they were married 47 years at the time of her death in 1996. In 1967 Bruce, Mary and their 2 children moved from Norfolk, VA to Winter Harbor where he was to serve as the commanding officer of the US Naval Astronautics Group, Det. Alfa, Prospect Harbor. Bruce fell in love with the area and the opportunities to enjoy his love of sailing. So when his time at Prospect Harbor was up he resigned his commission and retired after 23 years in order to remain in Winter Harbor. Bruce and Mary grew to love Winter Harbor and involved themselves in the community, not to try to change it but to serve. Bruce served on the Winter Harbor Utilities District for 19 years, water committee, Trustee at Sumner High School and various other boards and committees. Bruce also owned and operated Lanning Marine Electronics for a number of years. After retiring Bruce built a number of boats. One being his own Friendship Sloop, Schoodic which he sailed for 24 years from the Maritimes to islands south of the Bahamas. He raced the Schoodic for a number of years at the Corinthian Yacht Club, Marblehead, MA., Friendship Regatta, Mass Bay Regatta and the annual Friendship Sloop races held in Friendship and Rockland, ME until he sold her in 1997. For many years he sailed and delivered boats from Maine to Fla. In 1997 he purchased the Capts. gig off the Dwight D. Eisenhower and turned it into the very livable motor yacht, Chickadee. In 2002 Bruce married the former Jan Crowley of Ellsworth and they took the Chickadee from Winter Harbor to Fla. that year living aboard for 8 months. After a stroke in 2004 he was no longer able to sail and sold the Chickadee. Bruce also built, entirely by himself, the house in Winter Harbor that he lived in since retiring from the Navy. Bruce was a very talented man in many areas. He had held an active amateur radio license for over 50 years (W1GBS). He was a member of AARL (Ham Radio), MOOA (Military Officer Assoc), FRA (Fleet Reserve Assoc), member of the Friendship Sloop Society for 25 years, and the Mt. Desert Island Sailing Club for 10 years. Since boyhood Bruce had a keen interest in electronics. Much of his HAM radio equipment he built himself. If he couldn’t repair something it was likely not repairable. He taught electronics while in the Navy. He also was a member of Time Nuts, a group who discuss precise time and frequency measurement and related topics. He spent much time pursuing this hobby. Some perceived Bruce as being very vocal and opinionated and he could be but he also had a private, quiet, and gentle side.

Although at the time of his death he was not affiliated with any local church, he did have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Bruce is survived by his wife and best friend of 10 years, Jan (Crowley-Willard) Lanning; his much loved children, son Wayne Bruce Lanning and wife Vicki Underwood Lanning and their sons, Ian Wayne and Samuel Riley of Lincolnville, ME; daughter, Lauren Lanning Armstrong and husband Col. John Armstrong and their sons, Gregory and Phillip of Woodbridge, VA; sister-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Lanning of Nebraska; special cousins, Mrs. Warren (Dottie) Koch and family of Manchester, NH, and Mrs. Henry (Miriam) Bernhardt and family of Boca Raton, Fla. Bruce will be greatly missed by his little four legged sidekick, Tricki Woo. He was predeceased by his parents; his first wife and mother of his children, Mary Binda Lanning; brother, William Rice Lanning; sisters, Mary Louise Lanning Romie and Lois Lanning Zelie. Bruce also leaves behind a number of old and dear friend, former sailing buddies and Herkimer High classmates.

The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to Dr. Carl Aselton and the staff at the Milbridge Medical Center, Dr. Stephen Comeau, Maine Coast ICU for the wonderful care given him when he was there, and Hospice. A very special thank you to Sandy Daley, Cliff Pilacinski, Ricky Dyer, Debbie Scappaticci, and Pam Crowley who have made this easier for us all to bear.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, May 14, 2012 at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St. Ellsworth with Rev. William Sommerville officiating. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Winter Harbor.

Contributions in Bruce’s memory may be made to Maine Coast Healthcare Foundation, 50 Union St. Ellsworth 04605

Written by Nancy Bodyl, May 11, 2012

I am a friend of Laurie's and would like to extend my deepest sympathy to all of you at this most difficult time. You all will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Written by Dan & Ellen Duff, May 11, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you end this era of your lives.
Dan & Elley Duff

Written by Wes Shaw, May 11, 2012

At least, finally, he's now at peace Jan... You've had a long, hard, road... I will miss him. Wes

Written by W. Luis Cass, May 11, 2012

Lauren, Jon, Greg and Phillip
I am thinking about and praying for you during this most difficult time. Laurie, your father had a wonderful life and brought joy to a lot of others. He was obviously a father who loved life and lived it to the fullest. With sincere condolences Louie

Written by W. Luis Cass, May 11, 2012

Laurie, Jon, Greg and Phillip
My deepest sympathy to your entire family during this difficult time. Laurie, obviously your dad lived life to the fullest. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Louie

Written by Nancy Slurff, May 12, 2012

I am a daughter of Henry and Miriam Bernhardt. My mother is Bruce's cousin. Growing up my mother often talked of the summers she spent during her childhood with her cousins in upstate NY. I had the great privilege of sailing to the Bahamas sometime in the late 70's with Bruce and my father from Ft. Lauderdale. I was never so sea sick in my life! It was a wonderful experience and I would do it again if I had the chance. Bruce's sense of humor can't be matched! Numerous memories come to mind of things Bruce said that had me laughing. I was fortunate to make it to Winter Harbor once and loved the quaint town and beautiful "cool" summer unlike South Florida. My heart is saddened but comforted knowing Bruce is no longer suffering. I enjoyed reading the email updates Jan sent that my parents forwarded to me. I wish I wrote as poignantly!
God Bless all who share with having known and loved Bruce!

Written by Beth Clark and Jim Bean, May 12, 2012

Bruce was definitely a great character in our lives. Jim enjoyed talking computers, ham radio, and boating with him over the years. Though the death of anyone, (especially a parent for us) is devastating, I must say Bruce had a truly full life with his family, friends, and travel. Our thoughts are with you along with fond memories of Bruce.

Written by LT Robert Harris, May 15, 2012

I am the current Officer in Charge of NAVSOC DET ALFA, formerly U.s. Naval Astronautics Group Detachment Alfa, and on behalf of the command I would like to extend my condolences to your entire family. To our shipmate and my fellow Mustang, we wish you fair winds and following seas and long may your big jib draw.

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