Bruce Christofferson
6-30-1947 ~ 12-14-2010
Bruce William Christofferson, 63, was born June 30, 1947 in Lakewood, OH. After his graduation from Bay Village High School in 1965, he attended Ohio State University just long enough to become a diehard Buckeyes fan. He decided to become a ski bum rather than a student and moved to Aspen. There he worked a variety of jobs before Uncle Sam called him to service in Southeast Asia. There being no ski hills in Viet Nam, Bruce quickly opted not to re-up and returned to Aspen. He learned the carpenter’s trade and with several close friends from Aspen, he moved to Eagle Nest, NM, and formed his own contracting company. His two beautiful daughters were born in Taos.
In late 1982 Bruce moved to La Veta to work as a ski instructor at Panadero in Cuchara. He worked construction for several other contractors through the warmer months before reviving his BC Contractors. In November 1984 he married the former Nancy Colvin Hirleman.
His boss at Panadero, former La Veta resident John Caudill, dubbed him “Jean Bruce” in emulation of Jean Claude Killy, and the name stuck. For short, people called him J.B., a nickname he proudly carried for 27 years. He spent the late 1980s as a ski coach for the Junior Ski Team representing Panadero/Cuchara Valley Resort.
Bruce also was a dedicated duffer and spent many happy days at Grandote Peaks with varying results.
Bruce is survived by his wife Nancy of La Veta, daughters Wendy Christofferson (Eric Kenney), Highlands Ranch, and Monica Christofferson, Albuquerque, grandson Alexander Lee Kenney, siblings Tom “Boomer” (Terri) Christofferson, Saybrook, GA, Sandy (Michael) Burke, Durango, Kathy Bentley (Tom), Woodstock, NH, Gary (Lori) Christofferson, Elyria, OH, Gail (Bruce) Works, Bowling Green, OH, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service was held Saturday in Cuchara with his wife, daughters and all five siblings, old friends from Aspen and Eagle Nest, and his long-lasting friends from the Cuchara Valley in attendance.
Bruce never met a stranger, and never forgot a friend.
