Bruce S. Kuryla

September 1, 2022

Bruce S. Kuryla of Milford, CT passed away on Sept. 1, 2022. Born June 18, 1943 to Henry and Doris (Nisbet) Kuryla in Hartford, CT, Bruce was a lifelong resident of Milford.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 27 years, Janet (Bourdeau); his four children: Bruce (Carol), Alison, Kevin ( Jen) and Bill; his nine grandchildren Jessica, Bruce, Bryce, Kelly, Thomas, Kevin Jr., Liam, Aidan and Ciara; his brother Henry, his sister Kathy; his stepchildren Eric (Karin) Swanson, Kristen (Chris) DeMaio, David Swanson; and grandchildren Lauren and Jenna Swanson, Jillian, Carly, and Ava DeMaio, Finn and Owen Swanson.

He was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. As a Boy Scout, he earned the highest distinction of Eagle Scout and attended a European Jamboree. A graduate of Milford High School class of 1961, he excelled at athletics: track, basketball, an All-State athlete in football, and swimming, having set records in the breast stroke. He attended the Hopkins School in New Haven in 1962 on a scholarship before starting a family with his former wife, Gail (Patry).

Bruce was an entrepreneur throughout his career founding Northeastern Telephone, one of the first independent telephone companies in the country. He won a landmark antitrust case against the Bell System (which was later overturned on appeal). Before retirement to his porch overlooking Long Island Sound, Bruce owned and operated Port Milford Marina for nearly 40 years.

He had a great passion for sailboat racing and competed throughout the

Northeast and the Southern Ocean Racing Circuit. He was an outstanding navigator and there was nothing he enjoyed more than winning races alongside his son, Bruce. Together with their friends/crew, they won three U.S. Offshore Championships and numerous other races. Currently, Bruce served as Milford Harbormaster, was a member of Milford Yacht Club since childhood and an active member of the Milford Sailing Foundation.

Bruce was fiercely loyal to his loved ones and friends. He will be sorely missed by many and will always be held close in the hearts of his family.

Friends and family may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the Cody White Funeral Home, 107 Broad St., Milford, CT. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a. m. on Friday, September 9, 2022 at St. Mary Church, 70 Gulf St., Milford, CT. A private burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Milford Sailing Foundation (https:// milfordsailingfoundation. org/).