Mr. Bruce C. Rodwell

Bruce C. Rodwell, husband of Margaret Rodwell, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2025, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was born on July 21, 1936, to the late Clark and Grace (Wakefield) Rodwell. Spending his early years in Holley New York, Bruce grew up enjoying baseball and jazz music. His working career began at age 10 in his father's grocery store. In high school Bruce tried out for the St Louis Cardinals as a catcher, but due to a double header the previous day performed with an injury a baseball career was not to be and a career in produce was born. Using his grocery background, he found a position as produce buyer for the A&P Food Stores. From there Bruce entered public relations with the Western New York Apple Growers, including weekly radio appearances in the Rochester NY area. In 1970 he moved to New York’s Hudson Valley, where he led an apple packing operation for Agway and met his wife, Margaret. His career evolving, they soon were on the move and relocated to Northeast Pennsylvania, where Bruce became President of Merchants Produce Company. In 1996, they moved on to Plant City, Florida, to manage a strawberry operation and fell in love with the community remaining there until his retirement in 2001. Deeply committed to community service, Bruce was active at an early age. He was a member of the Jaycees and was elected Mayor in his hometown of Holley, New York. In Plant City he was an active member of several civic organizations. He served on the boards of the United Food Bank, United Way, Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, and the City of Plant City Planning Board. His healthcare involvement included leadership roles with the South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation, the BayCare Health System board in Clearwater, and the St. Joseph’s Hospital board in Tampa. A past president of the Walden Lake Community Association, Bruce was also a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, the Elks, and the Daybreak Rotary Club. His service was recognized in 2009, when he was honored as Plant City’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year. An award that is rarely bestowed upon a non-native son. He also served as Grand Marshall in the 2014 Plant City Christmas parade. No one who knew Bruce was able to escape his enthusiasm for Plant City, his family, Frank Sinatra or the Four Freshmen. His not-so-secret habit was singing. Although never in public, his family and friends ALWAYS heard him singing- loudly. Sinatra songs were his passion and several of his neighbors in the Walden Lake community can attest to his talents. Bruce is survived by his wife of 43 years, Margaret, (Lawler) and their children Linda Rodwell Hackler (Duane), Brenda Rodwell Lacrosse (David), John Shand, Daniel Shand, Terri Shand Colucci (Robert), and Robert Shand, fifteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many friends. Preceded in death by his father and mother, Clark Rodwell and Grace Wakefield Rodwell, his sisters June Rodwell Tipton, and Carol Rodwell Cole and nephews Eric Cole and JeƯrey Tipton. All who knew Bruce are invited to a celebration of life that will be held on June 27th from 3pm-7pm at the Plant City Elk’s Club 1501 North Alexander Street, Plant City. Messages of remembrance will be read at 5pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Plant City United Food Bank. His songs are silent now and, in that silence, he will be truly missed.

Mr. Bruce C. Rodwell

July 21, 1936 - June 8, 2025

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Mr. Bruce C. Rodwell

July 21, 1936 - June 8, 2025

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