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BRUCE ROBERT GREENE Bruce Greene of Alfred Station, NY was born to Kenneth and Thedora Greene of Perry, NY on September 5, 1939. He died on July 5, 2014 in Wellsville, NY from the effects of an aggressive brain tumor diagnosed a few months earlier. Bruce is survived by his wife, Susan and his sole sibling, Charles W Greene of Clarence Center, NY. Well-known for over forty years as the potter-proprietor of Hillbottom Pottery on Main Street in Alfred Station, he is also fondly remembered as the junior and senior high school art instructor at Alfred-Almond Central School from 1971-1995. Upon graduation from Buffalo State College in 1961, Bruce taught elementary art in Corning, NY. In 1964 he received his MA in Art Education from the University of Illinois. For the next four years Bruce was an elementary art instructor in Oak Park, IL, a Chicago suburb. His last student teacher there, Susan Wiese of Oak Park, walked into his life forever. They married later that year and moved to Alfred where Bruce received his MFA in Ceramic Design at the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 1971. Bruce took the position at Alfred-Almond, and was joined a year later by his wife who became the elementary art instructor. Along the way Bruce made pottery sold through Hillbottom Enterprises, which included also a modest antiques business and Susan’s short-lived hand weaving business. Upon his retirement from teaching in 1995, potting became his full time occupation. His work was available from select local and regional shops including his own. Hillbottom Pottery also reached the market through craft venues like the Clothesline, Allentown, and Waterfront shows. From its second year, Bruce was a member of Allegany Artisans, a guild of local craftspersons who sold directly from their studios in an annual “tour” event. After Bruce retired he also taught a summer Elderhostel art class at Alfred University. Later he and a fellow alum campaigned to preserve as much as possible of the original architecture of the historic Steinheim Museum there, during its transformation into the Career Development Center. He helped catalog the Paul Vickers Gardner glass collection. The Baker’s Bridge Historical Association has benefited from his support since its inception in 1976. He enthusiastically contributed to the scholarships awarded annually by the Alfred-Almond Fine Arts Boosters to college-bound arts students. The Greenes had no children but were keen partners in collecting American antiques to furnish their home. That interest branched out into household textiles and most notably, into the specialty of period clothing from about 1780-1880. The costume collection merged their interests in material and cultural history, and became so large that it ultimately went to the Genesee Country Museum & Village at Mumford, NY where it is presented as a major primary research resource. A quiet, peaceable, honest and generous man—always energetically busy—Bruce’s influence is enjoyed around the world as someone lifts one of his mugs, pushes flower stalks into an arranger, or switches on a lamp one more time. As professionals, artisans and dabblers, former students have passed on treasured skills and insights they acquired in his classroom. Visitors to the museum marvel at a slice of history made possible by Bruce’s eager participation in Susan’s later-life focus. Many of us, especially his wife, know we would not have been all we are without his inspiration, encouragement and support. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 14 at 11:00 AM at the Alfred Station Seventh Day Baptist Church in Alfred Station, followed with a buffet lunch and an open house at Hillbottom Pottery until 1:30 at which Bruce’s remaining stock will be offered for sale—all proceeds to go to the Hart Comfort House of Wellsville NY. In lieu of flowers please make any contributions to the Hart Comfort House or the Bakers’ Bridge Historical Association of Alfred Station, NY.
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Bruce Greene
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