by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ — Bruce B. McElven, 66, co-owner of the 2002 Trotting Horse of the Year Fool’s Goal, died March 6, 2014, at home.

He was a lifelong resident of Pemberton, N.J., and was a 1966 graduate of Pemberton Township High School.

Mr. McElven was a fuel oil merchant and was the second generation owner of McElven Fuel Inc., Pemberton. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church and a former member of the Pemberton Rotary and the Pemberton Sportsman’s Club.

He co-owned and bred, with Ron Allen, the Jim Doherty-trained Fool’s Goal, who raced from 1997 to 2005, posting 35 wins, nine seconds and 10 thirds from 112 starts with earnings of $3,057,070.

He is survived by his fiancée, Sharon L. Scorer; former wife, Kathy McElven; daughter, Wendy Cicero; grandchildren, Andrew and Matthew; niece, Beth (Mike) Castellini; close friends, Thomas and Lynora Budd and Marvin Maker; step-children, Judy, Johnni, Jennnifer and Jessica; and step-grandchildren, Andrew, Arianna and Lukas. He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Edith; and his brother, Buddy Dale.

Visitation will take place from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday (March 12) at the Lankenau Funeral Home, 31 Elizabeth Street, Pemberton Borough, NJ, with funeral service at 6 p.m.