Bruce L. Payne passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 18, 2010, with his loving family at his side. He was born January 28,1926 in Sidney, New York, the son of Kenneth D. and Grace LaTourette Payne. He graduated from Sidney Central School and immediately enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (1943-1949) where he served during WWII in the campaigns of Okinawa and Peleliu as a rifle expert and sharpshooter. In 1951 he wed the love of his life, Phyllis M. Walker. The couple celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on July 13th. Bruce enjoyed a long career at the Continental Telephone Company, retiring as an outside plant engineer after 34 years of service. Post-retirement he continued on as an independent contractor. Bruce was a great outdoorsman and conservationist. As a volunteer member of the Adirondack Mountain Club he built and maintained trails and lean-tos in New York State's Forest Preserve. In 1992 he became the first person to complete the Adirondack Centennial Challenge, which required canoeing, hiking, skiing and snowshoeing little known regions of the Adirondack Park. He loved to hunt, climb mountains and above all, fish - passions that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He was an expert fly tyer and in his retirement developed his skills as a wood carving artisan with works commissioned throughout New York State. He was a volunteer leader for the Boy Scouts of America, a bush league baseball coach, a member of the American Legion, Post 183, Sidney, N.Y. and a member of the Mohawk Valley Detachment M.C.L., Utica, N.Y. He was a man of strong moral convictions and unconditional love. His intuitive sense of compassion gave us, his family, hope and led us to answers when we thought there were none. Bruce is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his sister, Elizabeth Harrington and brothers-in-law George Harrington and Richard Walker; his children, Sally Vetter of Clinton, Kenneth and Cheryl Payne of Schuyler, and Carol Payne and Loren Gualtieri of Brooklyn; his grandchildren, Katherine, Jessica and Erin Vetter and Matthew, Lucas and Adam Payne; and four great-grandchildren. The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Francis Chabot and staff, and to Hospice. A private graveside service to honor Bruce's life will be held at a future date at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Sidney, N.Y. Arrangements are with the Kloster-Northrop & Bentz Funeral Home, Waterville.