Antonio Bruno, of Somerville, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 10th at Massachusetts General Hospital of Boston, surrounded by loving family. Antonio was the beloved husband of Edda (Morrone) Bruno and cherished father of Daniel and Melissa Bruno and her husband Egan Reich of Washington, D.C. He was 74.
Antonio was born June 2, 1943 in the town of Candida, Avelino, Italy to Sabino Bruno and Giuseppina Zarrella. He became a baker, working at famous pasticcerias throughout Italy. In 1972, he married Edda, daughter of Alfonso Morrone and Mariana D’Amore in Candida; the newlyweds moved to the United States later that year.
He raised his children in Somerville and worked for more than 30 years at the La Contessa Bakery in Davis Square. He also baked at Modern Pastry in Medford. Antonio was a skilled and passionate artisan, crafting countless exquisite pastries throughout his long career. A peaceful and honorable man, Antonio treasured simple comforts: tending his garden and following Italian soccer with his son. With the constant companionship of Italian pastries, it was, indeed, a sweet life.
Antonio was a dedicated brother to Concetta, Mario, Michele, and the late Giocanda, Pasquale and Pelligrino, all of whom resided in Candida. In his youth, he took joy in the company of Edda’s brothers and sisters: Tonino, Gerardo, Rosalia and the late Michele. Antonio always looked forward to hearing news of his nieces and nephews in Italy: Sabino Bruno, Mauro Gargano, Domenico Gargano, Maria Teresa Gargano, Fausto Bruno, Fabrizio Bruno, Gianluca Bruno, and Massimo Bruno.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Ann Church, 399 Medford Street, Somerville, on Monday, April 16th at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Antonio’s name may be sent to Massachusetts General Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital Development Office, Attn: Tricia Keck, 125 Nashua Street, Boston, MA 02114 or https://www.massgeneral.org/give/donate.
A graveside service will be conducted at Oak Grove Cemetery, 230 Playstead Road, Medford on Friday, May 25th at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.