Bruce J. Habowski

Bruce James Habowski passed away on June 24, 2023, two days shy of his 81st birthday at the Hospice House in Altamonte Springs, Florida due to complications following a fall. The son of Beatrice (Bowden) and Michael J. Habowski, Bruce was born on June 26, 1942 in Rochester, New York. He grew up in Mt. Carmel, PA and graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1960. He joined the Air Force the summer after high school and over the next twenty years was stationed in Morocco, Africa; California; Orlando, Florida; Vietnam; Panama City, Florida; New Brunswick, Canada; Little Rock, Arkansas; Berlin, Germany; and Grand Forks, North Dakota. He served as a military police officer. He and his wife Anna met in Berlin and were married in 1976 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. They moved to Orlando, Florida in 1980 when he retired from the USAF with the rank of MSgt. After a brief stint with Pinkerton's, he began his second career as a letter carrier for the United States Post Office, a job he held for the next 21 years. He retired from the USPS in 2002.

Bruce grew up playing sports, the most notable being high school football. He was an avid newshound and read several newspapers every day from cover to cover. He was most interested in current events, politics and sports. He and Anna were cat lovers throughout their marriage, their pets adding laughter and love to their lives every single day. They resided in the same home for the last 40 years, hosting family pool parties in the summers and endless (board) game nights, a favorite family activity, throughout those years. Bruce was a quiet, powerful man, with old fashioned values and a gallantry that is seldom seen these days. He always gave up his seat to a lady, be she young or old, opened car doors, insisted his grandsons removed their hats indoors, walked on the "outside" and while he occasionally cursed, never in front of other people. He was a softie for animals and babies. He was protective of his loved ones, and on multiple occasions he was known to quietly step up in defense of strangers as well, even as everyone else moved away from uncomfortable situations. The man was fearless and always did what was right, no matter what others did or thought. He handled difficult situations quietly, with strength and finesse. A man of integrity and honesty, he treated everyone with respect and was admired as well as loved by his family and friends.

Bruce is pre-deceased by his parents Michael J. and Beatrice Habowski. He is survived by his wife Anna (Winterman) Habowski; his sister, Carol Hansell (Walt); his brother Michael J. Habowski, II (Lisa); his daughters Debbie Graham (Richard) and Becky Guittar; his son Bruce Habowski, Jr.; his grandchildren Laura, Andrew, Jennifer and Glen; and his great-grandchildren Hayden, Aubree, Colton, Logan, Levi and Cora.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 8 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, East Orlando Chapel. A Celebration of Bruce's Life will follow at 11:00 AM in the funeral home chapel. Inurnment will be at a later date at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Second Harvest (Food Bank) of Orlando, his favorite charity, would be much appreciated. Thank you.