Michael William Bruno

On September 7th, 2023, at approximately 9:30 PM,  Michael William Bruno, 81, took his last breath in his home in Dalton, PA with his loving family by his side. Though his earthly body is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and anyone who was lucky enough to hear his stories, his jokes, and his infectious laughter.

Michael was an animated, down-to-earth, genuine person, who did not hesitate to help–or let's be honest–take over a project. He never met a stranger. He was an artist, a master craftsman, and an engineer of all things– from installing bolts into Barbie dolls' arms, to fixing Lionel trains, to building playhouses for his children. He made everything he fixed "better than the original!" He drew hand-made cards for special occasions. Michael had a deep love for cheesecake and chocolate, and shared that love with his children, always showing up with a "treat" to brighten your day. He was a great believer in handshakes, hugs, and tipping pretty much everyone. A simple act of kindness got you a gold star in his book and he never forgot you for it.

For the last four years, he fought every day against the aftermath of his stroke in 2019. He pushed himself to try every treatment imaginable. Just two days before his passing, he asked for ankle weights to build up his strength. He was a force of nature, whose life impacted so many, and he will be forever missed.

He was predeceased by his mother, Madeline, his father, Ernest, and his brother, Jim. He is survived by his wife, Joanne Christine Bruno, his children, Dawn Marie Pawliczak and her husband, Donald, of Goshen, NY; Jared Michael Bruno, of Oakland, NJ; Christine Marie Cox, and her husband, Michael, of Clarks Summit, PA; and Sarah Elizabeth Heidebrink-Bruno, and her partner, Adam, of Phelps, NY; and his five grandchildren, Dylan, Dalton, William, Callahan, and Finley.

The family will hold a private service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter in Clarks Summit, to honor Michael's love of animals.