1926 – 2016

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Paulo “Paul” Bruno on June 12, 2016 in Kamloops at the age of 89. Paul passed away peacefully after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Paul was born on November 9th, 1926 in Grimaldi, Consenza, Italy. He was the 6th of 8 children born to Francesco and Rosaria Bruno. Paul’s life in Italy was a difficult one. Like many citizens at the time, schooling was replaced with the obligation to work the land in order to provide food for the family. However, his life in Italy was not always despondent. For it was in Italy where his zest for the outdoors blossomed and he courted the love of his life, Eugenia. Paul and Eugenia were married on April 30th, 1947 at the tender age of 21. Then in 1948, they welcomed their first son, Francesco. Soon after, Paul left his family to complete the mandatory 2 years of service in the Italian Army. Paul was an exceptional soldier and well liked by his superiors. However, being distant from those he loved was very difficult for Paul, as he cared deeply for his family. Paul would spend many of his evenings taking the time to write letters to his son and love letters to his beautiful wife to assure his family of his devotion and steadfast return. Upon completion of his service, he quickly returned home to his family and In 1950, their second son, Gaetano, was born. 

Paul’s ambition to find a better life for himself and his family took him on a journey across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada. It was in 1951, when his Canadian trek began, as he, like many other Italian immigrants, disembarked at Historic Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. From Eastern Canada, he traveled west and settled in beautiful Kamloops, B.C. After 6 years away from home and endless hours of hard work, Paul realized that life in Canada could provide him and his family with a more fulfilling lifestyle. Hence, in 1957, Paul made the necessary arrangements to transfer his wife and two sons to their new home in Kamloops B.C. The move was certainly met with trepidation but soon all doubts were erased when Paul and Eugenia were blessed with the arrival of their third child, daughter Rosaria. Paul’s family was complete and a dream of a better life for him and his family was fulfilled. For 65 years, Paul called Kamloops his home and through that time he and his family gathered the many benefits of the Kamloops life style. 

Paul worked for various companies throughout his life including The CN Rail, The Trans Mountain Pipeline, The Louis Creek Saw Mill, The Overlander Bridge Project and The City of Kamloops, where he was an employee for over 25 years. His many talents quickly became apparent to his superiors and Paul built a strong reputation for being one you could count on and for his quality workmanship. Next time you are walking on a sidewalk in Kamloops, remember Paul, chances are that he helped construct that sidewalk. Paul retired on March 4, 1989.

Paul was a man of many talents who had a thirst for knowledge. He not only taught himself how to speak, read and write English, but he also learned how to play the harmonica and the accordion on his own. People loved to be around Paul and for good reason, as he was never shy to tell a joke or share a story. Even the days leading up to his death, he would entertain people with his harmonica. Paul was also a man of many skills and he had the tools to prove it. Paul was happy to share his skills and crafts with others and was always eager to lend a helping hand. Whether he was working on concrete, pruning trees, repairing shoes or dropping a 75 foot tree in someone’s backyard, he could always be counted on. His family, friends, neighbours and even strangers enlisted upon his help and he was always willing to assist those in need. His payment, nothing monetary, usually a friendly smile was all the recognition he would require. 

Anyone who really knew Paul, knew that next to caring for his family, he had 2 passions in life…gardening and hunting. His garden was an oasis of vegetables, fruit trees, and grape-vines from which his family and neighbours prospered. Normally people in Kamloops put grass in their front yard, not Paul Bruno. Nope, his front yard was garnished with a plethora of beautiful vegetables and fruit trees. Although he loved his gardening, his real passion was hunting the great Canadian outdoors. Paul’s passion for the outdoors and hunting was evident by the fact that he was already planning for the next hunting season before the current one even finished. Whenever you went to visit Paul there was always 2 constants, plenty of food and plenty of hunting stories. One couldn’t help but notice the twinkle in his eyes when he spoke of his many unforgettable hunting moments with his partners, his son Frank, Mario Bruno and the late Emilio Bruno. Paul’s favourite hunting grounds were the rolling hills above Savona. The end of the hunting season was marked by an annual Sausage Roast where plans for the upcoming hunting season were at the forefront of the conversation. 

Paul had an enormous heart filled with love and a deep appreciation for life. He was a devoted Catholic. He was a man of integrity, honesty, generosity and sincerity. He will be deeply missed by his family and many relatives and friends. 

Albert Einstein once said, “Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.”

Paul is survived by his wife Eugenia, his children Francesco “Frank” (Sylvia) Bruno, Gaetano (Marianna) Bruno, Rosaria “Rose” (Cameron) Winters, his loving grandchildren: Paul (Christina) Bruno, Jayson Bruno, Sandra (Domenic) Comita, Chris Bruno, David Bruno, Michael Bruno, Brianna Winters, Adam Winters, great grandchildren: Niko Bruno, Amanda Bruno, Frankie Bruno, Jaxon Bruno, Luigi Comita, Domenico Comita and Alesandro Comita. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews. 

Paul was predeceased by his parents, Francesco and Rosaria Bruno of Italy, his brothers: Antonio (Giuseppina) of Italy, Emilio (Amalia) of Sault Ste. Marie, Natale (Rosaria) of Kamloops and his sisters: Fortunata (Giustino) of Kamloops, Antonietta (Michele) of Hamilton, Concetta (Michele) of Kamloops and Maria (Gennaro) of Italy.

A special thank you to Dr. James Howie and the staff at Ponderosa Lodge for their loving care and compassion for Paul. He would want you to know how much he appreciated each and everyone of you.

Prayers will be recited for Paul and Eugenia at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Friday, June 17th, 2016 at 7:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 18th, 2016 by the Reverend Father Clinton Pendleton at 11:00am at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Private family Entombment will follow at the Sage Valley Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in Paul’s memory.

Condolences can be expressed at www.SchoeningFuneralService.com

• Date : 2016-06-12
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.