Date of Death: December 1, 2025
Service Details
A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Riviera Theatre, 50 N. Main St., Three Rivers.
Obituary Notice
Bruce Barton Monroe, 76, of Three Rivers, passed away Monday, December 1, 2025, at home surrounded by his family.
He was born August 3, 1949, in Three Rivers, the son of William R. “Bill” and Beverly “Jane” (Pritchard) Monroe. Growing up he enjoyed waterskiing and sailing at Fisher Lake, scouting, and serving as a lifeguard at Camp Wakeshma. A member of the Three Rivers High School Class of 1967 and a gifted athlete, he made many lifelong friends during his time in school and earned varsity letters in both football and golf.
While a freshman in high school art class, Bruce met Cynthia Giacobone; they married in 1972 and raised three sons in Three Rivers.
After a year at Purdue University, he transferred to the University of Colorado. He alternated terms at school, attending for a semester then taking time off to design and build custom homes, eventually graduating with a degree in environmental design. After college, he and Cynthia built their first house in Nederland, Colorado. Soon after, they decided to return to Michigan to be closer to family, with Bruce founding the business Sun-Site Design, where he continued in the design and construction business.
Starting in 1981 in sales and marketing, Bruce rose through the ranks at the Johnson Corporation, retiring as the chairman in 2005. Due to the global nature of the business, the work fit perfectly with his love for people and traveling. During this time, he continued his design work with a new focus on restoration and began purchasing properties to revitalize, including several in downtown Three Rivers.
One month after retiring from the Johnson Corporation, Bruce purchased the Riviera Theatre in downtown Three Rivers and launched a three-year restoration with his sons, opening it back up to the community in 2008. This project was sparked by both his family history with the theatre and his passion for philanthropy and bringing the arts to Three Rivers.
He was also passionate about the outdoors, spending time in Ludington and Manistee, and often skiing and hiking with his family in Colorado, Michigan, and Italy.
A community-minded man, Bruce served on many local boards including the school board and planning commission, as well as several national industry-related boards.
In his later years, inspired by his third-great-grandfather, George W. Barton, who served in the Civil War, he developed a great interest in his family genealogy and sought to travel to every battlefield where his ancestor fought.
Bruce touched many lives and will be remembered for his warmth and boundless generosity.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Cynthia Giacobone; sons, Brendan Giacobone Monroe (Danielle Moreland), Colin Giacobone Monroe, and Evan Giacobone (Courtney) Monroe; grandchildren, Cian Giacobone Monroe and Tristan Giacobone Monroe; sisters, Cheryl (Bruce) Craig and Pamela (Larry) Angthius; sister-in-law, Alison Giacobone (Tim Weber); brothers-in-law, John (Lauren) Hotovy and Tom Lowry; nieces, Peregrine, Dakota, and Lealand Angthius.; nephews, Justin and Aaron Hotovy, Tyler, Alec, and Chase Berry.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law Susan (Hotovy) Lowry.
Additional Information
Donations in Bruce’s memory may be directed to Three Rivers Promise & Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Envelopes will be available at the theatre and at Hohner Funeral Home.
Please Leave Your Condolences
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding.
My sympathies to the Monroe family. I worked with Bruce at the Johnson Corporation. I’m very thankful to the Monroe family for giving me the job at Johnson’s.
Bruce had a gift for connecting with anyone, anywhere. He did this with great ease, warmth and a good sense of humor. His joy for the burgundian life, travelling, Italy and his way of never taking life too seriously made time with Bruce unforgettable. From Spain where he and Cynthia came to our wedding, the Netherlands to Italy, and in Three Rivers and Ludington, the moments that we shared, live on in our hearts. Our condolences go out to Cynthia, his three sons, family & friends. Derk & Margarita Ruules González y Aragón
A good man who gave back to the community!
Dear Cynthia and family
Buster and I are deeply saddened at the loss of Bruce . His his life was full of adventure with much love.. Bruce loved his family above & beyond with much care to all, he will be greatly missed. We shared special times together in Ludington on the lake, memories forever. Thinking of him and Cynthia and the boys and families
With care
BUSTER & MARSHA .
My condolences to Cynthia & Family.
I was blessed to have been a caregiver for Bruce these past many months. He was such a kind and wonderful man. My husband, Steve, has a long history with Bruce through the Johnson Corporation. Early on Bruce loved to walk his property, enjoying the fresh air and Cynthia’s beautiful gardens. He was so proud of the home he designed and he and Bob Pryor built for his family. On sunny days, he enjoyed going on car rides…Corey Lake Orchards was a favorite destination. You will be missed by many, and your memory will live on in our hearts. Fly high, dear Bruce, you have earned your eternal peace. Nancy and Steve Manos
Bruce was someone I greatly admired and respected, and I consider myself blessed to have known him . We went through high school together and shared many wonderful experiences, both curricular and extracurricular, including four years on the football team. Following on time st TRHS, we roomed together our freshmen year at Purdue University. I am left with a lifetime of fond memories of my time spent with Bruce. He had a profound impact on me, and he will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
Bruce was indeed a gentleman and community treasure. He designed a solar house for us, which unfortunately was never built due to our relocating. Although our interactions were sporadic, my infrequent visits to TR always involved a stop by the theatre to say hello and reminisce. To his family you can cherish the memory of a truly good man.
It was with great sadness that I learned of Bruce’s passing. I have good of memories working with Bruce at Johnson Corp. Bruce was always pleasant, considerate and a good friend. My condolences to his family.
Bruce was great in restoring the Riviera Theater. My condolences to the family.
My wife, Judy (Gilchrist) Mohney worked with Bruce at Johnson’s and cherished her friendship with Bruce, Cynthia and their children.
We’ve lost a local treasure
Bruce is one of the finest men I have ever met. Over the years we worked on several projects together. I really enjoyed the times that Bruce would come to my work shop and have pizza and a coke, as we discussed the situations around town and problem solved. I will truly miss Bruce…
Tom Molter
My condolences go out to his family & friends. The work him & his sons done for the Rivera theater is outstanding.
Bruce was always a kind man, he helped me out a lot when I lived out at coon hollow apts & they plow us in, he bring over his tractor & get me out& wouldn’t take anything for it.
I have some of Colin photography, awesome work.
He will be missed by everyone in this community.
My God be with you in the days ahead 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Theresa L Middleton