Popular pastor, radio personality Bruce Rice passes away

QUINCY – Bruce Rice, who co-hosted WGCA-FM’s popular morning show and founded the Contemporary Christian radio station more than 30 years ago, passed away yesterday following an illness.

Rice had recently retired from full-time work at the radio station after serving as its general manager. He is survived by his wife, Maxine, his five daughters and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rice was never the kind of man who could really retire, especially from a place that he basically built and as this piece from WGCA’s website affirms: “That love is evident in his decision to remain a part of the ministry of WGCA by way of assisting Bob (Daly) with coordinating our planned giving. In addition to this, Bruce also heads up a revival ministry and is available to bless your congregation with his own brand of music, wit, and wisdom…all of it giving glory to God!”

Daly succeeded Rice as the station’s general manager.

Greg Haubrich, operations manager and morning show host for WGCA, was very emotional when discussing Rice on Friday morning.

“What I remember most is during our National Day of Prayer ceremony we had all of these pastors there and Bruce wanted that to happen again.” Haubrich said. “He wanted to be there, but couldn’t. All these local pastors…one had a somber delivery, one was energetic, and this one was humorous. Bruce was all of them. He was all of them.”

Rice was 74.