Bruce S. Dunham Jr., loved family fiercely

Bruce S. Dunham Jr. passed away peacefully Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, following a lengthy illness, with his wife, Dotti, at this side.

Bruce was born Aug. 11, 1942, in Abington, Pa., to Eleanor Jones Mathieu and Bruce Sherin Dunham Sr. Bruce was the second eldest of five children, survived by his sister Susan (Sherry) Sherin Dunham Clark married to Dean Clark of Shrewsbury, Mass. In addition to his parents, Bruce was preceded in death by his brother, Chris Mathieu Dunham. His stepmother was Jane Adams Dunham, and his brothers Wallace R. Bostwick Dunham and Gordon Adams Dunham are deceased.

He married the former Dianne Bowman in 1968 and together they produced two wonderful children, Jill Grace and Bruce S. Dunham III.

Bruce worked in the Philadelphia area before the family moved to Baltimore. Bruce became a top advertising executive in several agencies, most notably W.B. Doner in the Baltimore office. Their marriage ended, but he and Dianne remained good friends. In 1990, he married the former Dorothy (Dotti) Hoppe.

Bruce had many accomplishments and awards in his career, but he considered JillWill and Bruce III to be his proudest accomplishments. Both have become excellent parents and very successful in their chosen careers: Jill in the area of education and Bruce III in the financial arena. Jill has blessed the family with two wonderful grandsons, Clayton Wright Jr. and John Wright. Bruce has contributed four more blessings with three lovely daughters, Bella, Claire and Grace, and son, Connor. Bruce Jr. was so proud of all of his grandchildren.

Bruce still had the overwhelming need to shield his adult children from some of the harsh realities of life up to his last moment. Based on the trauma that he had experienced during the final days of the life of his beloved brother Chris, he had extracted a promise that his children would not be allowed to see him as his condition weakened or in death, but rather that they would remember him when he was a more robust person.

Bruce and Dotti relocated full time to Lewes in 2004. As former second home residents in Cape May, N.J., for several years, they quickly fell in love with Lewes. Bruce soon became the biggest cheerleader for the town. He formed many dear friends, and they became friends for life! He enjoyed entertaining and at times he was generous almost to a fault. He loved his flags and was always changing flags, to the amusement of the neighbors. And he so loved his country and was heartbroken at the changes that were happening in America. He enjoyed driving around in his 2005 PT Cruiser, which was a special edition commemorating the events of 9/11; he was proud to share his patriotism.

Bruce is survived by his devoted wife of 31 years, Dotti; and his fur kids, Jack and Socks; his son Bruce III and his wife Julia of Baltimore, and daughter Jill and her husband Clayton Wright of Baldwin, Md.; his grandchildren Bella, Claire, Grace, John, Connor, “Rube," Jack, and Eva; and his extended family and friends.

At his request, no services will be held. Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes. A celebration of life will be held at a future date. Any memorial donations may be made in Bruce's name to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or the American Cancer Society.