Obituary of Bruce G. Blower

Bruce G. Blower was born to Elisabeth Bernstein Blower and Howard S. Blower I, on May 9, 1937 in Brooklyn NY.

He was a Sharp Shooter in the Rifle Club and in the ROTC at Hempstead High School.

In 1958 he graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor’s degree where he had been President of the Student Council and a received  the Brotherhood Award  from his fraternity Sigma Alpha Sigma.

As an US Army 2nd Lieutenant,  Bruce was an MP (340th Military Police Company) in the 101st Airborne Division: The Screaming Eagles.In 1964, Bruce was honorably retired after contracting Polio which left him a Quadriplegic.

In spite of this life changing event,  Bruce went on to raise three children while creating a lasting legacy not only in the institutions he helped found but in all the lives he inspired.  Bruce dedicated his life to service and enhancing the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

Here are only a few of his acolytes:

Hofstra University's George M. Estabrook Distinguished Service Award for outstanding achievement.

Life Member of Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans and the United Spinal Association.

Founding Charter member, served six terms as Board Chairman and President of the Huntington Community First Aid Squad, Inc.

Honorary Fire Chief by Fire Chief’s Council Town of Huntington.

Member of BPO Elks Lodge 1565

Appointed by Governor Carey as Chairman of the NYS Emergency Services Council, where he worked in and championed the law that created Emergency Medical Technician (EMTs).

Chairman of the New York State, Nassau-Suffolk, and Suffolk Regional Emergency Medical Services They are responsible for training, licensing and coordination of all ambulance services and EMS certification. 

Founding Director of Suffolk County Handicapped Services Department.  Under Bruce’s 29 years of leadership, the department became one of the most respected in the nation garnering 23 prestigious awards. Bruce, also, served at the pleasure of five County Executives: three Republicans and two Democrats.  

Compliance Officer Suffolk County's Federal Americans with Disabilities Act .

Chair of Advisory Council to the State Advocate for People with Disabilities. 

Wrote bi-monthly column for ABLE, a  highly regarded newspaper in the disability community.

Chairman of the State Rehabilitation Council, which set up by federal law, 

the Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), and the Commission on the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH).

Commissioner at New York State Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.

Member of Verizon corporate Consumer Advisory Board and Verizon's New York board where he chaired the Disabilities and Lifeline Committee. 

Chairman and President of the Nassau-Suffolk Health Systems Agency, Inc. 

Chaired NY State Hospital Review and Planning Council, which approves hospital, nursing home, hospice, and home health care agency rules and regulations.

Featured in the Winter 2006/2007 edition of  CAREERS and the DISABLED magazine's front page article on "Civil Rights Advocates".

Recipient New York State Excelsior Award for Excellence, given to disabled individuals who have displayed extraordinary achievements.

Recognized by School-Business Partnerships of Long Island as one of the 60 Over Age Sixty Visionaries who have shaped Long Island into the great community it is today.

Received Long Island Association's Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award.

Received New York State Commission on Quality of Care Man of the Year Award.

Received Suffolk Independent Living Organization's Barrier Busters Award. 

Received United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Suffolk's 2006 Government Leadership Award.

The Blower Family requests all donations to Huntington Community First Aid Squad in Bruce’s name.

https://hcfas.org/Donate