 CAIRD, BRUCE Age 84, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2014. Born in Geneva Ohio, Bruce came to reside in Albuquerque in 1935 at the age of five. Affectionately called "Mr. Albuquerque" by a client, Bruce was well known for his real estate career that spanned more than five decades. He knew the business from the ground up, working first in the construction industry as a young engineering student. Bruce quickly became a construction manager for Dale Bellamah who developed the NE heights Princess Jeanne Subdivision in the 1950's. Before opening his own real estate company with partner Ed Norris in 1963, he built homes in Santa Fe with builder Ralph Brutsche, a life long friend. A licensed Realtor since 1957, Bruce held the #9 realtor license issued in New Mexico. He had a passion for real estate and was recognized by clients and peers for his professionalism, humor, and keen mind. He offered "solutions for people in real estate" and specialized in many arenas from residential sales in the north valley to commercial brokerage and development projects in Albuquerque, Corrales, and Placitas. One of his most creative accomplishments was to sell the volcanoes on Albuquerque's Westside Bond Ranch to the City of Albuquerque. He also served the city he loved as a founding member of Concerned Citizens, a watchdog group that critiqued city government. His provocative editorials often appeared in the Albuquerque Tribune. Bruce was a board member of TVI, now CNM, and a longtime member of the National Federation of Small Businessmen. Devoted as he was to public life, Bruce's family was his lasting pride and joy. He was married to Mary Landwehr of Jefferson City, MO, for over sixty years. He was the beloved patriarch of the Caird clan including five children: Ian Caird (Roxanna), Kim Caird-Espinosa (Peter), Caitlin Robinson (Patrick), Andrew Caird, and Sarah Caird; as well as nine grandchildren: (Ethan Aronson, Aaron, and Maya Espinosa, Kurtis, Kyle, and Kelly Robinson, Thane, Rachel, and Alexander Caird); and two great-grandchildren: (Finnegan and Harper Robinson.) Bruce modeled the values of the "great generation" such as hard work, integrity, a love of excellence, and a zest for life. A voracious reader and lover of history, his personal hero was Abraham Lincoln. Bruce loved sailing and traveling with Mary from San Carlos, Mexico and the lakes of northern New Mexico to Vancouver Island and the San Juan Islands of Canada. Bruce lived life to the full and embodied a warrior spirit. After a prolonged battle with heart disease, he died February 25, 2014 at his home of congestive heart failure. He will be remembered for his integrity to family and to the community. A Memorial Service in celebration of Bruce's life will be held Monday, March 31, 2014, 2:00 p.m., at FRENCH - Lomas. Please visit our online guestbook for Bruce at www.FrenchFunerals.com "If life was found to be agreeable so then should death be found. Both come from the same master." Michelangelo. FRENCH - Lomas 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 505-275-3500
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