Philip Bruce Mosher

Posted

July 17, 1927 - March 6, 2020

Philip Bruce Mosher “Bruce” passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2020 at the age of 92.

Bruce was born in Greene, New York on July 17, 1927 to Frank and Dorothy Mosher. Much of his childhood was spent in Upstate New York alongside his parents and siblings, Alan and Roberta.

In 1942, at the age of 14 his family relocated to Lake Worth, Florida. There he trained as a Merchant Marine in St. Petersburg, Florida, enlisting in the United States Navy upon completion of his training.

Following his naval service Bruce began serving as a police officer with the Lake Worth Police Department. This began a 35-year career in law enforcement during which he held positions with the U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Customs Service. From 1971 until his retirement in 1984 Bruce served as a U.S. Customs Agent at the Blaine, Washington duty station.

On May 16, 1950 he married Marina Morros, his loving wife of nearly 70 years. Together they raised four children and called many places home including Florida, Texas, California, Virginia, Taiwan and finally Blaine, Washington.

From 1959 to 1965 Bruce competed on the U.S. Border Patrol National Pistol Team, earning numerous accolades for his skill as a marksman. He gained an instructor certificate and a classification of Lifetime Master for both indoor and outdoor pistol competition. This skill provided him an opportunity to serve as a firearms instructor at the International Police Academy in Washington, D.C. Then, later, as an advisor to the National Police of South Vietnam where he assisted provincial police chiefs in policy implementation and training. While in Vietnam he moved his family from Virginia to Taiwan so they could be together more often.

Bruce was an accomplished artist in many media. From his home art studio, he created striking works ranging from watercolor landscapes to charcoal portraits of his grandchildren. His artwork can be found adorning walls throughout the homes of his family and friends. In retirement he volunteered his time with the Blaine School District teaching enrichment classes in basic cartooning and helping 4th graders improve their reading comprehension.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and both of his siblings. His brother Alan was killed in action in France, December 1944 in WWII at the age of 19.

He is survived by his wife Marina Mosher; his children, Cathy Mosher, Carol Mosher, Cindy (Mark) Lervik, Charles (Moki) Mosher, 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.


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