HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. BRUCE JOHN

On 2026-09-24, Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. BRUCE JOHN" in the House.

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. BRUCE JOHN

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E969-E970] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. BRUCE JOHN ______ HON. JOE COURTNEY of connecticut in the house of representatives Thursday, September 24, 2026 Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of a beloved local musician from Connecticut's 2nd District, Mr. Bruce John who sadly passed away on June 29, 2026. Mr. John lived in downtown Storrs, Connecticut, for over 70 years and, in that time, he became a highly sought after, revered community musician. Since the 1960s, Mr. John has perfomned in coffee houses, outdoor festivals, schools, senior centers, and at countless folk events with both his guitar and sweet voice. As the last troubadour of Willimantic, as he was known, he has provided Eastern Connecticut with more than the gift of fine music, but also a life dedicated to service to others and selfless philanthropy. Mr. John grew up in Mansfield, Connecticut, graduated from E.O. Smith High School in 1969, and attended Eastern Connecticut State University. He started his musical career in elementary school with a memorable, rousing performance of ``Blue Suede Shoes'' at the school's talent show. From that point on, he was hooked on performing for audiences big and small, who never stopped applauding his charisma and joy on stage. Despite that heady success, he stayed down to earth. He remained closely connected with his family, friends and neighbors in Eastern Connecticut despite rubbing elbows with world renowned musical stars. Mr. John's authentic brush with stardom originated when he cofounded the hallowed music venue, The Shaboo Inn, which hosted local artists and world-renowned giants like Aerosmith, the Police, Blondie, and Miles Davis until its closing in 1982. He also performed as the ``Singasaurus'' in The Kidsville Kuckoo Revue, providing family- friendly entertainment around Tolland County since he founded it in 1989. He was a part of other bands as well including The Gas Company, Tonight Only, Dinosaurs After Dark, and The Bruce John Genre Jam. Mr. John was not only part of the cultural life of his community as a talented musician, but he prepared the stage for others to enrich the lives of his neighbors both young and old. Mr. John was able to convert his musical and entrepreneurial talents to benefit multiple local charities. Mr. John founded the Bread Box Folk Music Theater in Willimantic with his wife, Therese, to raise funds for the Covenant Soup Kitchen. So far, the theater has raised over $275,000 since its creation in 2009 to benefit the soup kitchen. He also ran benefit dances for 20 years with his band, the ``Dinosaurs After Dark'', to pay the rent of the Project Hope Homeless Shelter in Willimantic. He has raised over $175,000 for Project Hope, while personally giving to many other local Eastern Connecticut charities. These a just a small sample of the substantial help he donated to his neighbors in need and in crisis, that made such a positive difference in their lives. On September 27, 2026, there will be a memorial concert in his beloved town of Willimantic, with some of his musical friends and colleagues in front of hundreds and hundreds of fans to pay tribute to his extraordinary, inspiring life. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and the people of Willimantic to express our deep admiration for Mr. Bruce John's tremendous life of service. May he serve as an inspiration to us all on how we might use our special gifts to serve one another. Join me also in expressing our deepest condolences to his wife, Therese John; his siblings, Kim and Gary; his daughters, Emma and Mia; his sons-in-law, Sean and Joshua; and his grandchildren. [[Page E970]] ____________________