Howard Bruce Ackerman, known as Bruce, an artist, illustrator, musician, guitar player, luthier, carpenter and lifelong Saugerties resident, died at home on August 25, 2025 following a long illness. His wife of more than 40 years, Barbara Boyce, was by his side. The cause of death was dementia, Boyce said. Bruce would have been 90 years old this December.
Ackerman was well-known for his caricatures of local political figures, which appeared in the Woodstock Times newspaper from the 1980s through the early 2000s. Nationwide, his clever cartoons appeared in magazines including Playboy and Playgirl, and in a novel by Isaac Asimov.
As a fine artist, Ackerman’s watercolors were exhibited at area galleries including the Woodstock Artists Association. He taught himself to build guitars and began creating and selling customized instruments. He sang and played guitar to benefit many good causes over the years.
Born on December 17, 1935 in Malden-on-Hudson to Dorothy Van Aken Ackerman and Howard Ackerman, Bruce was a 10 th generation descendant of the original Dutch and French Huguenot immigrants who settled in the area. He attended Saugerties High School and served in the Air Force in Dover, Delaware for four years. Bruce framed houses during the boom starting in the 1950s and 60’s, when IBM arrived in Kingston.
Boyce and Ackerman met in 1976 at the Watering Troff, a popular Woodstock night spot. They hugged and were together from then on. Barbara landed a job at the Onteora Central School District, where she held the title of Director of Pupil Personnel Services for many years. Bruce focused on his art and music and did all the shopping and cooking.
Recently, Bruce met his adult granddaughter, Aoife Franklyn, a resident of Ireland and the daughter of his son by a previous marriage. An accomplished musician, an animal rights advocate and doctoral candidate researching sustainable food systems, she came to Ulster County with her mother and visited Bruce. “Bruce was so delighted with her,” Barbara said. “He gave her all the guitars he had.”
Bruce is survived by his wife, his granddaughter, and his brother, Alan Ackerman, of Kingston. He was predeceased by his son, Lane, daughter, Arla, and grandson Garrett. A memorial gathering will be held in November. Donations may be made in Bruce’s honor to the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum.
Join the family! 
