Andrew "Andy" Bruno

Andrew “Andy” Anthony Bruno, 83, of Brockway passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023, after a short stay at St. Anne Home in Greensburg, PA.  He was born on January 8, 1940, the youngest of four children of the late Tony and Elizabeth (Paruso) Bruno.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife Roberta “Bobbie” (Spare) in December 2017, and by his three siblings, Louis, Carl, and Louise Castiglione.

Shortly after serving a couple of years in the Marines fresh out of high-school, Andy married Bobbie on September 17, 1960.  Both “just a couple of kids”, as Andy used to say, looking to share their lives in simple, humble ways, raising a family in their beloved Brockway.  By the mid-1970’s, they moved within Brockway to the Bond Street location that became their home for the rest of their lives.  There they took great joy in living with Andy’s parents next door, and two of his siblings’ families across the street.  This “Bruno-square” afforded Andy and Bobbie a great nurturing environment for raising their three children, each of whom survive: Tammy (Mike) Pittman, Paul (Lynne), and Dan (Sue).

Growing up, Andy had the uncommon benefit of being significantly younger than all his siblings, providing for unique relationships and memories, with Louie, Carl and Louise morphing into additional parents in many respects.  Their mentoring, love, and guidance continued for the rest of their lives.  That was especially helpful for some the challenges Andy faced in his life’s journey.  At the age of only 40, Bobbie was stricken with illness that changed their lives forever.  From that point forward, Andy’s selfless, unwavering mission was to take care of her, providing the highest quality of life possible.  He succeeded in ways no one can truly understand or appreciate other than Bobbie and Andy themselves.  He also later faced significant health issues of his own, with multiple brain surgeries.  He approached each of the surgeries and recoveries with unimaginable courage, always with the single-minded focus of getting well again so he could return to helping Bobbie.

Andy was a very good athlete in his younger days, excelling especially in basketball and baseball.  For much of the 1970’s and early 80’s, he coached Little League baseball, sharing his passion and patiently working with players of all skill-levels as if they were his own children.  He remained a life-long sports fan, enjoying the simple pleasures that sport-watching can provide, with Penn State football as his favorite.  He spent his entire career working for Brockway Glass and its successors, mostly in the Mold Shop, always giving an honest day’s work while maintaining a work-to-live approach to balancing family-first priorities.  He was a life-long member at St. Tobias Church, always dedicated to his Catholic faith and drawing on it for strength.

He is also survived by grandchildren that served as his and Bobbie’s later-life tremendous joys:  Ashley Mirisciotta (Anthony), Nichole, Aaron, and Josh – Paul’s children, and Drew (Alexa) and Jake – Dan’s children.  In his final years, Andy was able to enjoy visits from great-grandchildren Raynor and Emerson, both Ashley’s.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, April 4 from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Shugarts Funeral Home Inc. in Brockway.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 5 at 10:00 AM at St. Tobias Church in Brockway with Fr. John Detisch presiding. Burial will follow at St. Tobias Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by Parson-Marnati Post #95 of the American Legion at the cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate.

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