Giovannino Domenico Bruno

Giovannino (John) Bruno passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at the age of 83 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Franca Bruno; three children, Giovanna Bruno (Roberto) of Firenze, Tony Bruno (Alex) of Fresno, Phil Bruno (Andrea) of Calgary; five grandchildren, Michael and Stefany Bettucchi of Firenze, Olivia, Sofia, and Nicolas Bruno of Calgary; and two sisters, Chiara Pagnucco and Mirella Montgomery (Murray) of Calgary. He was predeceased by his parents, Antonio Bruno and Giovannina Gatto, and his brother-in-law, Giovanni Pagnucco.

Giovannino was born in Domanico, Calabria on April 28, 1940, where he lived until the family moved to Belgium in 1949. He spent his pre-adolescent years proudly being educated by the Jesuits and mastering the Latin language, before moving back to Domanico in 1956. It was here where he finished his schooling and competed with the local soccer and track and field team. In 1961, Giovannino moved with his family to Calgary, Alberta, where he spent the rest of his life as part of the Italian community. He met his wife, Franca Ferrali, in 1966, and the two of them were married in Pistoia, Italy on January 18, 1967, before returning to Calgary and starting a family.

He spent much of his working career in Calgary in the banking industry (Bank of Montreal and Italian Credit Union), helping many local Italian businesses and families. When not at work, he was an avid sports enthusiast, enjoying keeping up to speed with his favourite Seria A soccer team, Fiorentina, and beloved Montreal Canadiens, and being a Ferrari Formula One Tifoso. He honed his card playing skills in his regular debuts at the Milano Club in Calgary and pursued his soccer dreams as a local referee. He also enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren the tricks to becoming a star Bocce player, where he was known for his elite skills and impeccable form (with his trademark cigarette so eloquently propped). On his numerous trips back to Italy to spend time with his daughter and grandchildren, each day was not complete without making his appearance at the community card tournaments (Briscola) held at the local bar in Granarolo, Bologna, where he was most renown for his outstanding record of winning 9 prosciutti in 6 months. Later in life he enjoyed regular visits with his grandchildren gathered around the dinner table, taking the beloved Tosca for walks at the dog park, and exuding his love for pasta fagioli, vino, and patate fritte.

We would like to thank his home care team and the medical staff at Rockyview General Hospital for their compassionate care and all his family and friends for their love and support.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church,1714 - 14th Avenue NE, Calgary on Sunday, February 4th, 2024, at 3:00 PM. With his passion for sports playing such a prominent force in his life, in lieu of flowers we are asking that any memorial donations be made to Kidsport Calgary and Area, www.kidssportscalgary.ca or PO Box 61190, Kensington RPO, Calgary, AB T2N 4S6.