Bruce Anthony

Bruce Mark Anthony, age 74, of Pass Christian, passed away on May 15, 2020.

He was preceded in death by father, Kermit Zachary Anthony, Sr; and his mother, Ella Mae Anthony.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Jerelyn David Anthony; 3 children, Lisa (Billy) Hendrix, Blair (Layne) Braud, and Mia (Scott) Stephenson; 3 siblings, Kermit (Teri) Anthony, Jr., Susan Genin, Martha Hurt, and Sean (Adrienne) Anthony; 5 grandchildren, Ramsey Hendrix, Cooper Hendrix, Dixon Braud, Sydney Stephenson, and Mason Stephenson; 1 great-grandchild, Carter Hendrix; and many other relatives and friends.

Mr. Anthony was born in Emory, GA and lived most of his life on the coast. He was a graduate of St. Thomas School, St. Stanislaus College, and Loyola University. He was employed with Bell South for 30 years and was an owner/operator at WPSCO in Pass Christian for 25 years. Bruce enjoyed fishing, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and an avid LSU Tiger fan! For many years, he was the Chairman of the St. Thomas Fall Festival Committee where he met many people and made lifelong friendships.

His daughter Blair stated “Bruce gave to others by sharing his love of food and cooking either for raising funds for churches, schools, his daughters swim teams, and any other reason to cook. He brought people together to work hard for great causes!” Lisa said “Bruce was a lifelong volunteer cook for swim meets, churches, schools, and festivals. Besides fishing, cooking was his favorite hobby making hours and days of hard work feel like a party – not a chore!” Jason Green, president of Carnival Association of Long Beach offered the following statement: “Bruce Anthony (aka Papa Bruce) was a staple in the lives of so many people associated with St. Thomas Church, St. Thomas School, and the carnival association. Over a period of many years, there was never an event that he was not in the kitchen, on the grounds, or helping to plan for another event! Although we all know he had a passion for cooking, I truly believe he had a greater passion for serving others and being together with our group of friends who became more like family. It was evident because when you saw him - a hug, a kiss, thank you, and hearing “love you” were going to happen. And “Bruce Juice” – nothing else I need to say!!!!! I thank God for the privilege of having Bruce Anthony as my friend! You left us a great example and we are grateful! We will never forget you Papa Bruce!”

The family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. David Roberts and Dr. Michael Payment and their staff, the staff at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport and Notre Dame Hospice, and all others who have reached out with kind words. We are comforted to know he got to see his beloved LSU Tigers with the National Championship! Geaux Tigers!

The visitation will be on Friday, May 29, 2020, from 4:30- 5:30 pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 720 E Beach Blvd, Long Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 5:30 pm in the church. A reception will be held in the St. Thomas Community Center following the mass.

The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Long Beach, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com