Family tribute to former Northampton shopkeeper and councillor
The family of a much-loved former Northampton shopkeeper and councillor have paid tribute to him.
Bruce Bunker, born on August 6, 1943, passed away on December 11 last year. Bruce had a shop in Abington Avenue for 30 years selling records and carrying out electrical repairs.
His funeral will be on January 22, at 12.30pm at Olney Green Burial Site, where his funeral wishes will be honoured by his loving family, who have requested no flowers.
Bruce’s family have sent the following tribute to the Chronicle & Echo, celebrating Bruce’s life:
Bruce was born to Ernest and Madge Bunker disturbing an evening Boxing Match on the radio, in Guildford, Surrey, on 6th August 1943.
Bruce had an older sister, Tessa and four years later Lesley his younger sister was born. Bruce was a Boy Scout and a Choirboy at St Luke’s Church where his father was Churchwarden.
Bruce attended Holy Trinity C of E School where he passed his 11+ examination and went on to the Godalming Grammar School of Boys. With shoe size 16 and narrow feet Bruce’s mother had great difficulty buying the ‘indoor’ shoes that where required.
Later Bruce would find his natural home in Northampton.
Bruce had a lifelong love of popular music and records. At the age of 19 he managed two ‘rock ’n’ roll’ groups in Guildford, The Age Beaters and The Bumblies.
Top spot in the Age Beaters act was when Bruce did his Jack the Ripper act, dressed in a top hat and cloak Bruce would be carried onto the stage in a coffin. One day Bruce posed for publicity photos at St Catherine’s and according to the Surrey Advertiser at the time the police were called as onlookers thought that it was a black magic session!
Bruce established his own shop, Bruce Bunker, on Abingdon Avenue which quickly became a fixture in the local community selling records and repairing electrical goods. The shop operated for 30 years before eventually closing, leaving behind fond memories for those who frequented it.
Bruce married his wife Jackie in 1964, they had three daughters, Bridget, Nina and Rebecca. Alas after many years, like so many of his generation, his marriage fell apart and in 1999 he married Naomi becoming a stepfather to Andy, Paul, Audrey, Sean and Mark.
Bruce is remembered as a special and unique father and grandfather who was actively involved in family life, including being present at his granddaughter's birth and caring for the children through activities like weekly swimming followed by his favourite beans on toast. Bruce enjoyed outdoor adventures that bought joy, mud and tiredness to the boys and dogs. Bruce loved to play games competitively especially Scrabble with his stepson Paul. Family was central to Bruce’s life, with many stories highlighting his warmth, character, and unwavering dedication to supporting his loved ones through various life experiences.
Bruce was actively involved in local government, serving on both the borough and county councils representing St Crispin’s for the Labour Party in 1980s. Bruce dedicated himself to public service, his commitment to his residents and his passion for improving community life were widely recognised.
One contemporary remarked: “Bruce was always there when you needed him, never shying away from a challenge and always ready to help his neighbours.”
In 1996, Bruce established Northampton’s Male Survivors Charity with its aims ‘to preserve and protect the mental and physical health of men who have at any time suffered sexual abuse’. The group ran until 2003.
Bruce will be remembered for his dry sense of humour and his love of dogs; he died on 11th December 2025 of heart failure just four days after learning of his sister Tessa’s death.
Bruce leaves behind his daughters, Bridget, Nina and Rebecca, his grandchildren Dominic, Benjamin, Solomon, Isaac, Josuha, Esther and his dog Clive."