Coach  Shimuzu was my  track and  football  Coach and always  pushed us to be better than  what we thought  we could  do. He's  was like  a  second  father  to me cause  he  knew  my dad  wasn't  around.  Had a happy  time visiting  him years later when  he became  the principal.  Was good to  share a time of memories. He  was happy to  see me turn my life  around,  he's  was a great inspiration  to me. Thanks  Coach,  I  know  you're  in Heaven and I  know  you  are missed by many

Bruce was my colleague at Goodwill from 2008 to 2014. He made me feel smart, capable, and happy. He was always making us laugh. He brought flowers to the women on Mother’s Day, even if you weren’t a mom. He had passion for his work (Andrew Hill to Goodwill and everything in between) and his 
impact could never be measured. He spoke of his sons and his mom a lot. He was a charmer! He was also generous and kind. He invited my wife and I to his holiday party every year and I loved him dearly. I learned of his passing today and my heart is in a million pieces.
Minema (the woman next to him in the photo)

You were one of the finest teacher and coach!! Rest in Paradise Coach!! Your are sourly missed!!! Thank You For Just Being You!!!!💯❤️💟☦️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🫶🏽💚🌺🌺😘❤️💯

I was going to attend the service today but something unexpectedly came up. My condolences to the family. Bruce was the ultimate coach, family man and friend. He taught me the finer skills of life during my high school years and when he heard of my aspirations to play for the 49ers, in which he knowingly knew I never would, he signed a AH baseball cap that just said “ eat more rice …”. I still have that cap to this date. The memories are endless. I love hearing all the lives he touched and the impact he had on so many.  That just shows what kind of life he led and one that many of us should strive toward. May Coach RIP. 

Marvin SooHoo
AHHS, Class of 85

I am a Partner at the architectural firm Bruce hired to design his home in Saratoga.   

 Bruce enjoyed every minute of living in the house that we all had a hand in creating.  In the handful of times I got to see him after the house was complete, Bruce was always complimentary of our entire team, and grateful for our service despite the usual number of glitches. surprises, and cost overruns.   His house was truly a labor of love; Bruce was very involved in the design, and he took great pride in how it turned out.  Bruce remained excited about improving it as recently as last year, when I saw him most recently to discuss adding a poolhouse/guesthouse in the Japanese style.. 

Bruce's builder Mark LaMar, whom we introduced, became a good friend of Bruce and saw him nearly every month, including a dinner two weeks before Bruce passed, in which Bruce was in good health and spirits.   I am grateful that Mark became so close to Bruce and cared so much about him and his home.  Mark's care is evident in every piece of wood, glass, and steel he placed in that unique house.

Bruce was a good father and loyal son, in the traditional Japanese sense.   I'm pretty sure he hired S2 mostly because of my last name and Japanese face, and took the crazy leap of faith that shared ancestry would be enough to pull off his dream project.    

I only wish Bruce could have enjoyed his home for longer; he was a kind, honest, and patient man who deserved many more golden years than he was given.   I envisioned (and I think Bruce did as well) him living there another 30+ years and becoming a wise and witty centenarian like his late mother, but unfortunately this was not to be.   We all need to cherish the time we have with the people we love most; it can all be taken away in a heartbeat.

May you rest in peace, Bruce.  We would all be so blessed to only have great clients like you....

Your friend and admirer,

Eugene Sakai
Studio S Squared Architecture Inc.

From a neighborhood kid from Saratoga. So many fond memories of growing up in the good ole days. Hello to Lois and prayers for the family. He was a quite a man🙏🙏🙏🙏Donna McCauley Hester. So sorry we couldn’t make it. I’ll be there in spirit!🥰




Bruce and I became good friends when we started teaching together at Andrew Hill in 1971.  I will always remember him as a kind, warm-hearted, and generous man, who really cared about the students he taught.  He was an excellent teacher.  You can tell from the tributes how many lives he touched.  But he also possessed a wonderful, mischievous sense of humor, which kept you on your toes if you had the privilege of working with him.  Thank you for all the memories, Bruce.  I will miss you.

My deepest condolences and prayers go out to the Shimizu family at this difficult time.  

I had the privilege to work with Bruce on his new house interior design along with the architect and contractor. Bruce was always interested in fine design and details , always appreciative of the learning curve that comes with design, argumentative with a good sense of humor that comes with the character :) 
Bruce was one of my best client ever 

My condolences to Carol and the Shimizu Family.
I met Bruce and Carol at Andrew Hill High School where they were both teachers when I became an administrator there in about 1987.
 The word that comes to mind to describe the pair is “elegant”. They were experienced confident educators and their students felt their concern and support.
Bruce was a Special Education Teacher and worked with the kids who most needed a patient and compassionate human being in their school lives. He was “the tall, handsome, strong silent type” who was naturally admired by both the adults and the students.
Bruce came to school, did his job and after school, he was a coach and driver education teacher. Later I learned that he had a daughter with special medical needs and that much of his personal life was dedicated to caring for her.
I was new to the school and to the school district so it took time to get close to the “schoolteacher and staff family”.
At first, I got to know Carol because she was an experienced English teacher and I often asked her to proofread my memos and letters. It took a little more time to know Bruce. I knew I had become an accepted colleague when Bruce told me that his Mexican students referred to him, their teacher, as, “El chino”(a term Mexicans commonly used to describe anyone who is Asian)!
People often ask me why anyone would choose a career as a teacher. My response is that teaching is a lifestyle. The daily life of teachers is rewarded with working with their school families who also love youngsters. Teachers also have time off to spend with family and friends. Bruce and Carol were the perfect examples of teaching life.
I went on to another district assignment and soon Bruce became the Principal of Andrew Hill where he served for a decade I visited his school often and he always invited me to staff social events.

May he rest in peace; “En paz descanse”.

Ramon Martinez 


Rest in peace  and condolences to his children and family.    You will be remembered.  Nancy

Bruce,
You will be so missed..there is a space that cannot be filled. Your gentleness, your kindness, your sense of humor, your warmth, your very presence has left a void in our world. 
My deepest condolences to your family. I pray for the Angels to comfort them in this tremendous loss.
Santa

A few special kids he worked with could not pronounce his name so they called him "Shine my shoe" and Bruce loved it because he knew it was their hearts talking. Bruce is an inspiration and will be kept in our hearts.

Bruce was a refined gentleman, respectful, old school, polite, honest, humble, intelligent, quick to listen and slow to speak, caring, man of integrity, I loved his mischievous smile, I can see it now. 
The short time I’ve known Bruce feels like a life time. Bruce and I shared hours at Bill’s Cafe. Waiters called us the campers. 😂 
Bruce (my buddy)  I’m really going miss you, everything about you and that smiley face. Rest easy my buddy! 

I messaged Bruce yesterday to see how he was doing and thought it was weird that he didn’t respond with his usual “Hey how is my favorite latina doing!?” I later found out about his passing through an old co-worker. Bruce was the kindest man I have met who was always there for his friends. He organized birthdays, going away partys and even our baby showers! His favorite get togethers were happy hours though. He was always the first to say “who wants tequila?” Bruce was a great mentor, director, advocate but most of all friend who will be missed! Cheers up above Bruce! 

Bruce was a wonderful friend.  He told me once at a reunion that he always "looked up to me".  Never really knew the reason why.  After all, he was taller than me.  I could always make him laugh!
Rest in peace, dear friend.
Love,
Johnnie Gibson

My thoughts are with you all. It is clear that Bruce made a huge and positive impact on others. Everytime he stopped by Dublin High, I was impressed warm smile and and laugh. May you all continue to find peace in your memories. 
Maureen Byrne 

I went to Campbell High School with Bruce and remember him well  .  He was a very nice man and always a gentleman.   

Bruce was one of the sweetest and kindest humans I have ever met. He had a fun sense of humor and was very caring and generous. His loss has left a big hole in my heart. To all who knew him and loved him, I am so very sorry for your loss. 

I met Bruce through Carol, who was my boss at Dublin High School for ten years.  I remember thinking when I met him, "What a handsome man!"  And from then on I referred to Bruce as "my boyfriend."  I loved that Carol and Bruce both got a kick out of that nickname, which stuck for many years.  I loved Bruce's sense of humor, quick wit and dedication to kids.  Thank you, Bruce, for a lifetime of service to children.  Our world is a better place because of your work.  

My deepest condolences and prayers for Carol and the entire Shimizu family during this time of sadness.  

I first met Bruce at a Dublin High School Graduation several years ago.  From the beginning, I could tell he was a special person who really cared about kids.  He had a warm smile and a great sense of humor.  Over the years, I learned more about Bruce and his extensive background as an educational leader from Dave Marken and Carol.   As you can see from the many tributes written here, Bruce touched  those who knew him in a very special way.  He will be greatly missed. 
Our deepest condolences to Carol, the entire Shimizu family, and the many friends and colleagues who knew Bruce.
Warmest regards,
Steve Hanke
Barbara Wagner

Bruce, you were  a dear friend of my parents for over 50 years.  I remember you making stops by our house at 6 AM several winter weekend mornings in that brown 80s van to get us all up skiing, and the 4th of July parties at our house. I think you caught the neighbor’s bushes on fire. Razzle-dazzle, Bruce. The world is not the same without you. 

Our dear friend Carol and family,
 You and Bruce were wonderful neighbors for so many years.  You both were so incredibly busy with your dedication to family, work and friends yet you still found time to express your kindness and generosity to plant  two beautiful camellia trees in our yard as a welcoming gift. 
We remember well the end-of-the-year parties for your teaching crew as you or Bruce  would warn us and apologize if the “cutting loose” was too loud.  As we shared with you over the years, we loved hearing the joy and laughter from those gatherings.  It still brings a smile to my heart.
Many years ago, Bruce gave a pitching machine to Alan when he began coaching Almaden Little League.  The teams and our boys knew it was from “Neighbor Bruce.”  It went to great use throughout those years.  It has since passed on to another coach in Almaden Little League.  So, Bruce, that one act of kindness has touched many young lives and continues to do so.
Our loving memories, hearts and love are with you, Carol, and your family.   We will always be your loving and grateful neighbors.  Both you and Bruce were the best of neighbors!
Love,
Terry, Alan, John and Wyatt Raineri




This is Debo, my fondest memory is him teaching me to driver a stick shift. Which I ended up driving a bobtail truck for 34 years. He was the most kindest person to me, Will miss him very much.

A great principal, mentor and friend. He taught all of us at Andrew Hill to be a "family." You will be missed, Bruce. 

We first met at the beginning of our doctoral adventure about 1997.  We spent hours on the phone and in person struggling to get schoolwork done and maintain our stressed jobs leading high schools. We would try to arrange opportunities to golf . Bruce was happy on the golf course. We spent a lot of time golfing.  Bruce was a wonderful, kind man.  We became great friends. It was telling that we just spoke five days before his passing.  He told me he was going to come up to Washington and we would spend several days golfing. I miss you my friend………I miss you

Dear Shimizu Family and all those that love Bruce,

We are all grieving the loss of Bruce from our Goodwill Family.  Bruce recently had his 16th year anniversary with us.  In those 16 years, he grew our after-school program from a dozen students a year to over 12,000!  12,000 students were supported by this program everything from help with their school work to credit recovery to dance and other enrichments activities.  The team at Goodwill will be feeling a huge void for some time to come. At the same time, we are grateful to have had these 16 years with him. 

With deepest sympathy.

Dear Shimizu Family,

Please accept my deepest sympathy to all of Bruce’s family.   He will be greatly missed.  

I met Bruce when we both worked at ESUHSD.  I worked for and with him more than 12 years.  We have remained friends for more than 25 years.  He was a great boss and friend.   He was a leader, charismatic, funny and encouraging.  I will miss him.
With Sympathy and Warm regards,
Judy Neal

My heartfelt condolences to Carol.  She was my class advisor so I knew Bruce by association.  Had a chance to talk with him a few times but never had him as a teacher.  RIP

One of my first memories of Bruce was in about 1988, when I sat in on his science class. He had a large calendar on the wall, and each day the students checked the newspaper and recorded the daily sunrise and sunset. It was such an elegant way to teach about the changing length of days through the year.
Bruce was a good friend and mentor, and an all-around good guy. He and Carol were good people who enjoyed entertaining; our Andrew Hill family loved their parties - especially the barbecued yakitori

Dear Bruce-ito:

May God grant you peace next to your beloved mom and daughter.
I will dearly miss your kindness and generosity, your sense of humor, your detailed approach to everything, the sweet tooth chit-chats and for sure, your Japanese approach to our Mexican cuisine.

My sincere condolences to the Shimizu Family and your dearest friends and colleagues.

Rest in Peace🙏

To the Shimizu Family

Mr Shimizu was a wonderful teacher, a kind-hearted caring man.  He was our guest speaker for the Class of 79's 25th reunion.  He shared what was going on with past teachers we had.  He also shared what Andrew Hill was doing.  My heartfelt condolences to the family.  I know you will miss dearly.  God bless you all.

Dearest Bruce 

I was so sad to hear you had left us. You will be dearly missed here on this earth by so many people who were touched by your kindness and generosity.  

I will never forget that infections laugh or that mischievous grin of yours!  I know you are at peace with your beloved mom now smiling together. My sincerest condolences to your family and friends.  We will miss you forever Bruce.

Fondly,
Camille







i will always remember you as "Coach Shimizu" vs your years as Principal.. you made an impact on countless students over the years. From your years as a teacher and caoch for both the JV and Varsity football teams, you alays delivered motivational speeches to get the most out of us in our growing years. You always spoke about the "performance bar" and how we should all strive to exceed that. Whether its sports,school or life in general, that applies to our daily lives. Thank you for your wisdom, insights and guidance over all these years and to all the students who were fortunate enough to know you! My deepest condolences to your family and friends...

What a brilliant man.  It was an honor to have him for an instructor.   I learned so much from him.  Thank you sir.  Rest well
Class of 81

To the Shimizu family, I just want you to know that Mr. Shimizu was a kind and encouraging soul. He always brought out the best in me through his coaching skills or just by his support. He used to call me Leslie because he said that I looked like Leslie Uggams. He was a sweet man. 

Bruce

You were very respected on campus and I’m sure you will be dearly missed by your family and friends. You were a great role model to all of us as we made our way through high school. You had a great impact on my life growing up. RIP Coach! 

Lupe Ventura Andrew P. Hill  Class of “83”

My sincere condolences to the family.  My life was very positively affected by Mr Shimizu during High School, particularly during summer school. So much so,  that I remember his birthday and his enjoyment of Reeses Peanut Butter cups. I had a chance to thank him at one of the recent reunions and he laughed at my memories. He was indeed a sweet, gentle man who cared about making a difference in students lives. 

Dear Mr. Shimizu: 

Thank-you for your warm presence and incredible contributions to the growth and development of AP Hill class of 1997. I was very fortunate to have had you for a Principal throughout my high school years. I had some very good and impactful teachers, which would not have taken place without your good judgments. I wish for you a safe journey ahead. May our good and merciful God be with you always.  

Kindly yours, 
Thanh Nguyen 

OBITUARY

Bruce Shimizu

2 August, 1946 – 20 February, 2023

Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services