Bruce Paine

Bruce G. Paine passed away unexpectedly at the age of 74 on July 29th, 2026. He was born in Brainerd on July 10th, 1952 to Bruce Mahood Paine and Alice (Sewall) Paine. The youngest of five, “Bits” was a river rat full of shenanigans, he gave everyone a run for their money. In 1970 Bruce graduated from Brainerd High School, continued at Brainerd Vocational Technical School, and graduated from St. Cloud State with a degree in Industrial Education. At the direction of his mother, Bruce shaved his face for the last time and married the love of his life Mary Whitney on September 1st, 1973. They built their life, family, and business in the Brainerd area. They had two children, Joseph and Katie, and spent their lives going on adventures, making memories, and causing chaos. Bruce’s heart and silliness continued to grow with the addition of each of his playmates/grandchildren.

In 1980, Bruce and Jim Vacinek established Brainerd Hardwoods Inc., where they worked together for 30 years and built another kind of family. He continued to be full of hijinks and hilarity when he wasn’t working, and oftentimes when he was. Bruce showed his love to friends and family through practical jokes and enjoyed laughing at himself and others, sometimes gleefully at their expense. He was always quick to offer advice and poke fun with a collection of one-liners and puns.

Bruce was even quicker to offer help to anyone who needed it. He never stopped learning and had a talent and determination for figuring things out. Bruce was the ultimate DIYer and was always building something, fixing something, or fixing what he built. Forever a kid at heart, he never stopped having fun or finding adventure, including his newest hobby riding his Onewheel. Bruce spent his life an avid outdoorsman and was often hunting, fishing, spending time on the river, feuding with beavers, picking on his his grandkids, traveling, flying his plane, and collecting old stoves, old cars, and old friends; the latter being his most prized possessions.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife, and is survived by all of us lucky enough to know him.

Details for his Celebration of Life will be posted at a later date.