Bruce Werchadlo, 66

CRANSTON, R.I. – Bruce Werchadlo died Feb. 14, at home.Born in the Bronx, New York, he was a devoted son of the late Howard and Ida (Canetti) Werchadlo. He grew up a true New Yorker, and fan of all New York sports teams, especially the Yankees. Bruce often attended games with his father and brother – his favorite player was Mickey Mantle. 

Bruce moved to Cranston in his teens with his family. A star tennis player, Bruce was a state champion in 1968. He was in the Navy reserves, serving stateside during the Vietnam War and attended college at CCRI.  Bruce’s lifelong love and passion was tennis, which he turned into a career as an instructor. He taught hundreds of Rhode Islanders how to play tennis, and was a beloved member of the tennis community. Friends remember Bruce as having a fantastic sense of humor on the court (and off it) and “the best volley they’d ever seen.” 

He is survived by three children: Michael Werchadlo and his wife, Dessira, of Lincoln; Emily Schaible and her husband, Jeff, of West Hartford, Connecticut; and Alex Werchadlo of Cranston. He was the brother of Charles Werchadlo and his wife, Deborah, of North Scituate; Larry Werchadlo and his wife, Patricia, of Cranston, and Carol Hall of Boca Raton, Florida. He also had four grandchildren: Kacy, Joey, Luke and Nate. 

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.