Juan Antonio Bruce

Juan Antonio Bruce, affectionately called Coach Juan by many, 57, of Upper Marlboro, MD, went home to be with the Lord on April 26, 2024. He was born on June 15, 1966, in Bethesda, MD to Dorothy Bruce and the late Leonard Webster Bruce.

Juan was a selfless individual who dedicated over 25 years of his life to the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 100 as a Licensed Sheet Metal Mechanic. In late 2023, he accepted a special job assignment in Siler City, NC, to help build a chip plant, and was soon presented with the “White Hat” which is rare for someone to receive. Juan was very proud of this accomplishment. According to Juan’s job, he got along with everyone, took his work seriously, and was a hardworking, dedicated, and kind man.

In addition to being a dedicated employee, Juan was also a business owner. In 2009, he formed Eagle Construction HVAC which provides HVAC and home improvement services. In 2010 he was ordained as a Deacon under the leadership of Bishop Don Meares. Around 2018, Juan became a dedicated Kingdom Fellowship AME Church member, and HE LOVED JESUS! He was a member of the Sons of Issachar Men’s Group. Deacon Juan shared Jesus with anyone who would listen.

In Juan’s free time, he enjoyed coaching basketball, playing basketball, working on home improvements, maintaining his 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pick-up truck, listening to DC Go-Go music, dancing, going on family trips, fishing, and watching movies. But his favorite thing to do was to provide for and be with his family. Juan's whole life mission was to see his family happy and to bring out the gifts and talents he saw in each one of them. Because of Juan, Rodney holds the family man legacy. Antonio holds the basketball organization legacy. Jordan holds the spiritual prayer warrior legacy. Jabria is a Dean’s List and Honor Society Senior at Morgan State University and holds the college basketball player legacy. Robin holds the entrepreneurial legacy, and Kamari will continue on the road of gymnastics that Juan started her on. Juan was an impressive and selfless husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend.

Juan is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Robin Bruce. They joined in Holy Matrimony on June 26, 1999, He is also survived by his two sons Antonio and Rodney (future daughter-in-law Kimberly VanDyke), two daughters Jordan and Jabria, his mother Dorothy Bruce,  four brothers Mitchelle, Gregory, Tyrone, Cravin, one sister Catherine, his twelve grandchildren Prince, Paris, Amir, Ahsan, Kamari, Kyla, Kayla, Ky'Ron, Kaylee, Kaden, Kylee, Kyler, dearest niece Alexis, nieces Teko, Cerenity, Chaynce, nephews Cravin Jr., Lil Greg, and a host of other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Leonard W. Bruce, and brother Ricky Young.

Coach Juan/Papa will be dearly missed by all who know him, and his legacies will live on.