The Auburn Hills Community Center was filled with so much love and laughter on Saturday, February 22, 2020 as the community celebrated the life and legacy of Bruce Howell. He was a beloved employee of the City until his retirement in 2015.  Bruce loved playing basketball and when he worked at the Community Center, you would often find him in the gym supervising basketball players who all saw him as a friend.  He was a friend to all and was always there with a smile, a laugh, or a hug.

Bruce was a tough fighter and ultimately cancer took him from this world too early.  For those of us who worked with Bruce, he is remembered fondly.  For those of us who didn’t know him, his memory has been kept alive with stories, pictures, and family visits. 

One way we still honor Bruce’s life today is through our annual Bruce Howell Memorial Free Throw Contest.  Since Bruce loved basketball we shoot hoops and raise money for the American Cancer Society in his memory. 

Friends of all ages showed up to celebrate the day – Bruce’s friends and family were here, as well as our littlest athletes!  Winners in each age category were awarded with medals and certificates.

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Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Bruce this weekend – we hope you left with smiles and laughter and enjoyed playing the game.  Thank you to all of our volunteers and to council member Brian Marzolf for sharing memories, volunteering, and shooting a few hoops! We want to give a special thank you to Bruce’s family who comes to this event every year to celebrate with us!

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In loving memory of Bruce Howell, February 22, 1954 – June 15, 2016

Sage Hegdal, Recreation Director