Bruce Corey

PORTLAND – Bruce Corey, 95, passed away peacefully in his sleep Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, at Fallbrook Woods, Portland.

He was born in Portland in July 1930 to Ralph Corey and Mildred (Stephens) Corey of Gorham, the oldest of three children. He graduated from Gorham High School and attended Bates College.

He was an offset pressman for the Walch Publishing Company of Portland, but the Corey family enjoyed growing things and Bruce learned various skills in gardening and horticulture. So after his press days, he was hired by Skillin’s Greenhouse in Falmouth. He worked for several other greenhouses until retirement.

Bruce was actively involved in learning about the construction of covered wooden bridges throughout Maine and other states. He also had a lifelong interest in Maine narrow-gauge railroads and rode the one in Alna, Maine.

He met his future wife, Mary Louise Wadsworth of South Hiram, while at the Walch Publishing Company. They were married Oct. 5, 1963. For a time they lived in South Portland before moving to Westbrook. Bruce continued cultivating his (two) green thumbs at home with flowers, plants, trees and a vegetable garden.

He and his wife climbed a few mountains together. Bruce also climbed Mount Katahdin and came back in one piece!

In the early 1990s, after a thorough study of the Bible, they dedicated themselves as Jehovah’s Witnesses.

As a couple they enjoyed traveling to places such as Canada, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand. They collected antique china and glass along the way. They especially liked to collect glassware of the Portland Glass Company.

I would like to thank the staff at Fallbrook Woods for the extra help in acts of kindness rendered to Bruce to make his last days less difficult.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Mary; his sister, Nancy May (husband Frederick) of Maryland; niece Jennifer Upchurch (husband Bobby) of Maryland, niece Melissa Eadie (husband Jason); great-niece, Jordan and great-nephew, Brandon of North Carolina.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Steven Peter Corey.

There will be a private graveside service Oct. 18.