Bruce E. Shindhelm

Bruce Shindhelm of Ithaca passed away peacefully on August 19,2024. Bruce, a 1966 graduate of Ithaca College, was the long-time owner and operator of Finger lakes Wrecker Service. In his almost 50 years in the towing and recovery profession, Bruce devoted all hours of the day and night helping people who had been in accidents, were stranded in the snow or mud, or any other catastrophes that were thrown their way.

Those close to him knew that underneath his often-gruff exterior, he had a huge heart. Bruce was an avid animal lover-from being a lifelong donor to the SPCA, to waging a one-man campaign to save a dog that had been beaten and tortured, he aided many. He helped save a horse that had been shot, and helped countless dogs in distress, because, as he put it, “someone should”. And who could forget his constant companion of 18 years: a 2-lb poodle named “My Lady”.

Bruce is survived by his brother Arthur Shindhelm, his daughters Anne-Marie Pett (Don Pett) and Mary Wirtz (Dave Wirtz), and his grandchildren Travis Pett (Amanda Pett), Lindsay Pett (Alistair Matsuda), Melanie Wirtz, and Mathew Wirtz.

Per Bruce’s wishes, there will be no public service. The family asks that, in lieu of cards or flowers, donations be made in his honor to the SPCA of Tompkins County. Bruces’s final wish was, “if dogs can’t go to Heaven, I want to go where the dogs are.” Hope his wish comes true.