Bruce M Babcock

He was fortunate during his short illness to spend quality time with loving family and friends. Bruce was born in Ithaca, NY on July 12, 1934. After attending Lakemont Academy and Ithaca High School, Bruce graduated from Cornell University in 1957. During his senior year at Cornell, he met and married Doreen Krauss, also a student at Cornell. Following graduation, He joined his father in the family business, Babcock Poultry Farm. Prior to assuming a senior leadership position in the company, Bruce’s father insisted that he gain some independent experience in running his own business. So, with a small business loan and a lot of ambition, he and Doreen and twin sons, Jim and John, moved to Lititz, PA. While in Lititz, Bruce started his own hatchery which became a thriving business, and his growing family welcomed daughter, Pat. After a few years, his father called him back to Ithaca to become President/CEO of the company. He cherished the fact that he was able to work alongside his dad for a number of years, while building the business into a multi-national, diversified, agri-business. In 1981, Bruce moved to Naples and began a second successful career as a Realtor. In 1988 he married Dorothy Dean Means (Dottie), also a Realtor, and enjoyed working until 2017 at John R. Wood Properties in Naples. He cherished the lasting friendships formed with former clients and his corporate family at the firm.

Bruce was an accomplished golfer and enjoyed participating in many tournaments at Quail Creek Country Club in Naples and Burlingame Country Club in Sapphire, NC, as well as many charity and member-guest events, often earning a place in the winner’s circle. He was an avid fan of the New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York Knicks. Most of all, he loved spending the summers in the beautiful NC mountains with Dottie, and frequently being visited in Naples and NC by their children, grandchildren and friends. His life was filled with joy and love, and he will be deeply missed by those who knew him. The family would like to thank Avow Hospice, Naples, for their helpful and compassionate care during his final days.

Survivors include his wife, Dottie , children James Babcock(Barbara), Westport, CT; John Babcock (St Louis, MO), and Patricia Babcock Smith (Lilburn, GA), Stepchildren, William Means III (Donna) Athens, GA, Bradley Means (Juli) Augusta, GA, and Robert Means (Evergreen, CO); grandchildren, Taylor Babcock, Connor Babcock, Dylan Babcock, Kelly Babcock, Jordan Babcock, Kristen Smith Sullivan, Logan Smith, and Ryan Smith; Jena Means, Will Means, Sam Means, Jack Means, Stanton Means, Meredith Means, Macy Baugh Duffy and Max Bagley.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 11:00 AM at North Naples Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Salvation Army, St. Matthews House, or Avow Hospice in Naples.