Bruce J. Amado
September 22, 1939 – April 12, 2025

Bruce J. Amado was born on September 22, 1939, in Sacramento. He went to be with the Lord on April 12, 2025, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was the middle child of three siblings.

Life was difficult when, at only eight years old, he learned that his father had passed away suddenly. This left his mother, Lorene, to raise three children on her own, just following the Depression. Luckily, Bruce had the fortune of having an uncle, Vernon, and a stepdad, Bernard, who stepped in and mentored him. During these years, he developed a deep love for fishing and the outdoors.

He took great pride in his first job delivering newspapers and used some of the proceeds to help his family financially. His next job was working at John F. Mahaney Company, a local wholesale farm supply store, where he developed much of his work ethic. He attended Sacramento City College and later transferred to Humboldt State University, where he studied fisheries and marine biology—an area of life where he found his calling.

Bruce joined the Department of Fish and Game as a Fish and Wildlife Assistant at Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville, shortly after the dam was constructed. On August 29, 1964, he married the love of his life, Sharon. They moved back to Rio Dell, where Sharon taught third grade, and together they briefly managed a trailer park in Eureka. Bruce then took a job at Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery.

It was there they found a little piece of property, built a house, and started a family. In 1972, they welcomed a son, and in 1974, a daughter. They were able to move from hatchery housing onto their new property, but only for a few years before Bruce transferred to Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery in 1982.

Bruce and Sharon spent many years skiing at Mammoth, fishing creeks, mountain lakes, and aqueducts, and hunting doves and mule deer in the Sierras. He had the opportunity to ride pack animals into the highest elevation lakes with milk crates of small trout, as well as dropping them by small plane into remote lakes.

In 1985, Bruce accepted the job of his dreams at Mad River Fish Hatchery in Humboldt County. Soon after, his family rejoined him. This hatchery raised trout, salmon, and steelhead, and Bruce took great pride in spawning fish each fall and caring for the eggs. His daughter recalls visiting on school days off, watching him carefully pick the eggs to remove any fungus and marveling as they developed “eyes.” Bruce’s smile often drew photographers, and he was always eager to share his knowledge of hatchery work with anyone interested.

He especially loved releasing fish into streams, talking to fishermen, and watching the fish go free—knowing he and his crew had raised them from the start.

Outside of work, Bruce enjoyed teaching fly-tying to his 4-H group, sailing and fishing the ocean from his 19-foot West Wight Potter sailboat, and golfing locally. In 1998, he retired and put his lifetime fishing license—awarded to him by the department—to good use. He spent summers sailing and camping in Tahoe, and one year caught the fish of his lifetime: a 70-pound king salmon, the largest caught in Eureka that year. Proud of the catch, he purchased a salmon smoker for the fishing derby where he won the record.

Bruce even tried commercial fishing for a year, purchasing a salmon trawling boat and crab permit. He ran “The Echo” for a couple of years with Joy, supplying his yacht club with crab for many crab feeds. Cooking and serving crab came naturally to him, as generosity was second nature.

The yacht club brought Bruce and Sharon many great experiences. While Sharon wrote and printed the newsletter, Bruce timed the races—his Potter being slow but perfect for the job. He made many friends there, including his best friend Ralph Krause, with whom he paddled across Humboldt Bay as part of a club. Early weekend mornings were spent crossing the bay, spotting wildlife, and enjoying breakfast with friends.

Bruce’s love of nature never faded. In his later years, he golfed with friends and his son until he could no longer play. Determined to stay active, he rode his electric tricycle and fished local beaches for surf perch with his friend Joe Ceriani, sometimes joined by his granddaughter Sophia and daughter Wyly.

Bruce will always be remembered for his kindness, caring attitude, hardworking character, and gentle nature. He was devoted to his family and expressed his love through thoughtful acts of service—like greeting loved ones at the door with a cup of coffee or juice.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughter Wyly (husband Elmer, grandchildren Abigail and Julian, and great-grandchild Sequoia); son Jon (wife Helia and daughter Sophia); brother Gary (wife Judy and sons Christopher and Michael); and sister Jolene.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to further Parkinson’s research.

A celebration of life will be held at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka on September 20, 2025, at 2 p.m.