CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Bruce Allen Moulthrop, 68, of Niantic, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 25, 2026.

He was born Dec. 21, 1957, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, son of the late Raymond Moulthrop and the late Patricia (DeRose) Licht.

Bruce was raised in Clarksburg, Massachusetts, and graduated from Drury High School in North Adams in 1976. An Eagle Scout, he carried a lifelong love of the outdoors, and especially of the water. He worked as a lifeguard in his younger years, and swimming remained a part of his life for decades. A true animal lover, he also enjoyed biking,
reading, and any excuse to be outside.

Bruce earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Westfield State College in 1980. Before beginning his career in law enforcement, he worked at the Kolburne School in southern Berkshire County, where he met the love of his life, Maria Wiedermann. They were married in Niantic on June 1, 1985.

Bruce and Maria made their home in Middlebury while he served with the Waterbury Police Department, retiring at the rank of sergeant. They then moved to Niantic, where he began a new chapter with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.

Niantic quickly became home. Bruce found particular joy swimming across the Niantic River and at the Niantic Bay Yacht Club, where he was a member. Those swims became part of the rhythm of his later years.

Music was another lifelong passion. A devoted Deadhead, Bruce loved the Grateful Dead and Jimmy Buffett, whose songs provided the soundtrack to many of his favorite moments.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 41 years, Maria; his sons, John and his wife, Bethany, Michael and his wife, Simone; his grandchildren, Madeline, Maeve, and Jane; his sister, Linda (Craig) Hurlbut; his stepmother Jeanne Moulthrop; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Above all, Bruce was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He will be remembered for his love of family, the natural world, the water, and music, and for a life spent serving others. His memory will live on in all who knew and loved him.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, Oct. 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home, 48 Grand Street, Niantic. A memorial service will be held at St. Agnes church in Niantic on Tuesday, October 6 th at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Membership Chair, Friends of the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve, P.O. Box 163, Niantic, CT 06357 or made online at http://www.oswhills.org. The donor should indicate that the gift is in memory of (IMO) Bruce