Merton Bruce Cottrell

Obituary Merton Bruce Cottrell (1940-2016) "Doc" Bruce Cottrell passed away on October 8, 2016 in a local memory care facility. He was born on June 25, 1940 in Springfield, MA, although he was probably born 100 years too late, as he would have happily spent his years as a mountain man, living in the wilderness and only coming back to civilization on occasion for the annual Rendezvous. He was named Merton for his father, but the family always called him Bruce to avoid any confusion. Bruce is preceded in death by his parents, Merton Ashley Cottrell and Mari Ellen (Birnie) Cottrell, and his sister, Joan (Cottrell) Kelly who was three years his senior. Bruce grew up in West Springfield, MA where he participated in Boy Scout activities, played baseball, and traveled regularly to the family farm in the Berkshire Hills area of western Massachusetts. While spending time at the farm, he would ride and show his horse, Tony, and his pony, Trixie. After completing high school, Bruce attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, obtaining a degree in Animal Husbandry. But Bruce was always enamored with the Wild West, and in 1962, he made the decision to move to Colorado. He attended veterinary school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO, graduating with his DVM in 1967. In 1971, he and a vet school classmate purchased a veterinary hospital, University Hills Animal Hospital, in Denver, where they specialized in small animal medicine. Bruce left the practice in 1975 to move to Craig, CO. This allowed him to be closer to the mountains where he enjoyed hunting and fishing activities. However, another opportunity arose in Colorado Springs to take over a failed veterinary practice, which he decided to pursue. He took over the business in 1977 and transformed it into a successful full-service veterinary hospital, boarding kennel, and pet grooming facility. In 1995, he sold the practice and retired from full-time veterinary practice. Bruce was also actively involved in wilderness outfitting, operating All Seasons Ranch from 1988 through 2002. He spent many years providing fishing and hunting trips in the Flattop Wilderness areas in northwest Colorado as well as sleigh ride dinner trips and trail/horseback rides in Steamboat Springs, CO. After Bruce had completed his schooling at Stockbridge, he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia May LeGrand in 1961. They had four children, Denise, Deborah, Michael, and David. Following Bruces move to Colorado Springs, Bruce met Skye Stevens when he placed an ad for a veterinary technician for his new hospital. They were married in 1983 and had two children, Dakota and Tucker. Bruce also has two grandchildren, Brandi and Dustin, and five great-grandchildren, Holly Ann, Michelle, Kaitlin, D.J. and Ryan. Bruce has been a long-time member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the Colorado Outfitters Association. He spent many years volunteering in many capacities as a long-time member and Past-President of the T-Gap Lions Club, working as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 127, and accompanying the Boy Scout groups on numerous camping trips and adventures. In retirement, he became a golf enthusiast and enjoyed participating in many games from bowling to darts to ping pong and air hockey. He enjoyed dancing, watching golf on TV, visiting with his wife and family (especially great grandkids), having BBQ get-togethers, driving in the mountains, taking walks in the park, and especially playing nine holes of golf with friends. He will be dearly missed by his family and all who knew him. He was an inspiration and mentor to many. If only there were more men like him in this world, it would be a much better, saner, and happier place. He lived his life to the fullest; may he rest in Peace. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to T-Gap Lions Club, c/o Bernadine Manning, 4715 Signal Rock Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80922. Services Cappadona Funeral Home 1020 E Fillmore St Colorado Springs, CO 80907