Bruce James Gilmartin, 79, of Boothbay, passed away peacefully under the compassionate care of staff at the Sussman House Hospice, in Rockport, after a long battle with complications of diabetes.

He was born on Jan. 21, 1941, to Mildred and James Gilmartin, of Fairfield, Maine. His father was a manager at McLellan’s Five & Dime stores at various locations, thus Bruce moved frequently as a child. The family moved to Lynn, Massachusetts, and there he attended Lynn English High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, receiving training as a helicopter mechanic. He served as a crew chief in Korea, and in 1961, his second tour of duty as a crew chief for the 88th Transport Company was in Qui Nhon, Viet Nam. At the end of this tour of duty, he spent time in Saigon, playing drums at a local club. After discharge from the army, he attended flight school. However, he ended up working for the National Cash Register Company for 25 years, and installed the first ATMs, in his assigned territory of Harvard Square. He worked for the last 20 years prior to retirement as a field service representative for Nicolet Biomedical, repairing and installing neurodiagnostic equipment in hospitals throughout New England and New York state. His customers looked forward to his visits and his funny stories. One such customer was Faye McNall, who became the love of his life.

Bruce and Faye shared a goal of having a home in Maine, and purchased Bert Howe’s old log cabin on the Damariscotta River in Boothbay in 1996, eventually building their dream house together. Bruce and Faye also shared a love for Labrador retrievers and boating of any kind. Their boats included a sailboat, large and small motor boats and they even built a houseboat together. After 25 years, they decided to “tie the knot” in 2016.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Faye McNall, and his two children, Jay and his wife Elizabeth and Kate and her companion Rick. He also has three loving grandchildren, Emily, Joseph and Maeve. He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Christine Frost and her husband, Joseph Garcia.

Interment will take place at the National Cemetery in Augusta, in a private graveside service, to accommodate the restricted attendance requirement due to COVID-19. At a future date, all will be welcome at a gathering for a Celebration of Life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Travis Mills Foundation, to bring wounded veterans to Maine for recreation (https://travismillsfoundation.org/), Action for Animals Maine, covering emergency vet services for owners who otherwise could not afford treatment for their pets, (https://www.actionforanimalsmaine.com/) and ASET Foundation to support the education of neurodiagnostic technologists, (http://www.asetfoundation.org/).

Hall Funeral Home and Tribute Center has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, please visit hallfuneralhomes.com