Bruce Wingate

Bruce Allen Wingate, 71, died unexpectedly and peacefully in his sleep on October 5, 2024, at his daughters home in Toledo, Ohio where he resided for the last 7 years.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, on December 19th, 1952, he was a 1971 graduate of Macomber High School with a certificate in Industrial Engineering, married Kay Harding and started a family. Bruce proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an accomplished competitive rifle shooter, and he was just accepted into the FAA as an air traffic controller when he had a swimming accident that left him a quadriplegic on June 13, 1976. After he spent a year at Green Springs Rehabilitation Hospital, he later attended the University of Toledo. He never complained about his condition and made the best of every day.

Bruce had a succession of modified vans that gave him the freedom to travel all over the country visiting friends and family. He moved to Escondido, California in 1998, enjoying the sunshine for 20 years frequenting the beach, golf tournaments, horse races, car shows, boating, casinos, and entertained visitors. He moved back to Toledo with the help of two very special lifelong friends, Harvey Vershum and Fred Baumgartner, on the 2017 “Brucie-fest” trip. He continued to frequent the Casino’s, loved on his granddaughters and great niece Elizabeth Dewaard, made new friends, and kept in regular contact with the old friends by attending his Friday “Committee Meetings” at Capers. Bruce was active till his very last day. His village stretched from coast to coast, each and every person helped him in some way, and he inspired us all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Doris Mae (Schmitt) Brady and Carl Allen Wingate, and his special Aunt, Gertrude Schmitt.

Bruce is survived by his daughter, Holly (Daniel) Miller; granddaughters, Madelyn and Amelia; siblings, Ronald (Susan) Wingate and Susan Wingate; nieces, Allison (Keefe) Snyder and Renee Wingate; nephew, Eric Wingate; and special friend, Kay (Harding) Chirgott.

A celebration of life will be held at Earnest Brew Works, 25 S. St. Clair, Toledo, OH on Sunday, October 13th, 4-8 pm. Come with your best Bruce story to share.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Paralyzed Veteran’s Association at https://pva.org.