James F. Bruno

Surrounded by his loving family, James F. Bruno, age 83, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2013, at his residence.  James was born in Racine on April 29, 1930, son of the late Oswald and Dorothy (Nee: Murphy) Bruno.

He was educated in Racine, attending Roosevelt, Washington and graduated in 1948 from Horlick.  In 1948 his father, mother and James returned to his father’s homeland, Sweden.  It was an experience which would influence his entire life.  Following the return to Racine, James attended the University of Wisconsin, earning a BS degree in 1952.  He then went to work for his father “Ossie” at the Office Supply Company.

In July 1954, he and Ruth D. Bedard were united in marriage at Holy Trinity Church.  They built a home in the village of Wind Point, where their five sons and one daughter were raised. After Ossie died, Jim became President of Office Supply Company.  Jim built a new home so his mother Dorothy could live with the family and helped with raising them.

The experience at the University of Wisconsin left Jim with two great life interests, History and Music.  From these he had two great heroes, Napoleon and Mozart.  As a branch of these he had interest in German wine and European culture.

Jim held membership in many clubs throughout his life.  He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Danish Brotherhood, German Club, Manner Gesand Verein, Downtown Rotary, Racine Downtown Business Association,   Racine Country Club, Meadowbrook Country Club, board member of North Shore Bank, Kappa Sigma Fraternity since 1951, lifetime member of UW Wisconsin Alumni Association, Past President of the Shamrock Club, and People to People, hosting and visiting friends from Canada, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, France, Czech Republic, Rome, Sweden and Denmark.

He was an avid tennis player, golfer, and reader of history.  He was a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be terribly missed.

Survivors include his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Ruth; Hugh (Pam) Bruno and their son, Justin Bruno; Thomas Bruno (the late Darlene (nee: Bodi) Bruno); Robert (Joy) Bruno and his children, Nicholas (Jennifer) Bruno, Natalie (Khrist) Hansen and their children, Audrey Rose, Evan, and Logan and Lane Bruno; Richard (MaryAnn) Bruno and their children, Christopher Bruno and his children, Khristopher and Ian Bruno, Jana Bruno and her children, Elijha and Janae, Cory Bruno and Paige Bruno; Annamarie (Anthony) Zagar and their children, T.J. Zagar, Kerstin Zagar and her children, Sophia, Eric, and Levi, Austin Zagar; sisters-in-law, Vivian Zember, LaVerne Hoglund, Donna Bedard; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Jude and William “Billy.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Terrance J. Huebner officiating.  Private interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Kinzie Avenue.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Tuesday at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. and Wednesday at the church from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m.  Memorials to the Wisconsin Parkinson Foundation, the Leukemia Society, or to Wheaton Franciscan Hospice have been suggested.

A special thank you to Dr. James Gierahn, special nurses, Debbie, Isaac, Jennifer, and Brother Paul and all the other caregivers for their loving and compassionate care. 

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine    (262) 634-7888