Leslie Olen Bruce

Claremont – Leslie “Les” Olen Bruce, 79, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 17, 2023 at Catawba Valley Medical Center.

He was born on January 8, 1944 in Pawnee County, OK to the late William Melvin Bruce and Beatrice Allen and raised by his Aunt Jacky and Uncle Olen. Les left Pawnee to join the Navy, not once but twice, joining the first time before he was 18. While in the Navy, Les served three tours in Vietnam, saw the world, made lifelong friends, and met the love of his life, Elena while stationed in Naples, Italy. Les was a man who knew exactly what he wanted and went for it. Les and Elena dated for three short months before they wed. After retiring from the Navy in 1987, Les committed his life to continuing to serve military service men and women through his work with AMVETS. For over 20 years, he worked tirelessly to ensure veterans received the military disability benefits they were entitled to, including petitioning and testifying in front of congress to ensure that veterans received the respect and consideration they deserved.

In addition to his parents, Leslie is preceded in death by his brothers Eddie and Johnny, and his sister Mary.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 49 years, Elena Dell’Oglio Bruce; his children, Olen Bruce and wife Hazel Bruce, their three children Isabella, Carmella, and Aurelio, Jacky Bruce and her children, Liliana and Gabriella, and Beatrice Ashe and her husband David Ashe and their daughter, Emilia. Les is also survived by the Dell’Oglio family, who immediately welcomed him and loved him as one of their own.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Catawba Funeral Home on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Jeff Brown officiating.

The family will receive friends for a short time after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project in Leslie’s name.

Condolences may be made at www.catawbamemorialpark.com.

The Bruce Family is under the care of Catawba Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations.