Mariano Bruno, 89 years old of Kenosha, WI passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021, with his loving family at his side.
He was born May 15, 1931, in Marano Principato, Cosenza, Italy, the son of the late Raffaele and Aquila (Ricchio) Bruno. In 1958, he took a leap of faith and left Italy with his brothers and relocated to Toronto, Canada in hopes for a better life. After a few years he left Toronto and his family and moved to Kenosha, WI where he married his first wife, Filomena Serpe who preceded him in death in 1971. In 1972, he traveled back to Italy, and on July 30, 1972, he married Gina Guido in Cerisano, Italy. They settled in Kenosha, WI where she would be by his side until the very end.
Mariano was not only a devoted husband, but also an amazing father to his two daughters, Mary and Cathy and an adoring Nonno to his four grandchildren. He taught his daughters about hard work, the importance of family and to always look for the good in people. He was a kind and gentle soul. Mariano was an avid gardener, whether it was tending to the large vegetable garden in the back yard, the multiple fruit trees, or the beautiful roses around his house. Every year he enjoyed making his wine, and Italian meats to last the entire year. Mariano loved making yearly trips back to Toronto to spend time with his brothers, sisters and all his nieces and nephews, all of which he loved very much.
Survivors include his loving wife of 48 years, Gina; daughters, Maria (Richard) Yuenkel and Cathy (Greg) Gunhus, both of Kenosha, WI; three brothers, Tomaso (Sarina) Bruno, Enrico (Raffaela) Bruno, Santo (Teresa) Bruno, and brother-in-law, Alfredo Cannataro; four grandchildren, Ashley Yuenkel, Benjamin Gunhus, Megan Gunhus, and Jacob Gunhus; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and first wife, Mariano was preceded in death by sisters, Gelsomina Bruno, Caterina Cannataro, and Concetta Reina.
Mariano’s family would like to extend their gratitude for the Hospice Alliance staff and his compassionate caregiver, Toni for her assistance the past two years.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at Proko Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, Thursday, January 28, 2021, at the funeral home with Mass of Christian Burial to commence at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii Catholic Church, 2224 45th St., Kenosha, WI.To live stream mass, please copy and paste https://www.facebook.com/ProkoFuneralHome/live_videos/ into your browser. Entombment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum, Pleasant Prairie, WI.
