It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Ida Bruni on January 29, 2018 in St. Joseph's Hospice.

Ida was born in Aiello Calabro, Provincia Cosenza, Italy on November 18, 1934. She was the first of five children born to Rosina Rino and Geniale Coccimiglio. On September 6, 1955 she married the dashing Francesco Bruni, who would be her devoted husband of 62 years. It was a time when many Italians immigrated to North America in search of a better life, and in March of 1959, together with their young daughter Franca, they boarded the ship Vulcania and set out across the Atlantic Ocean. Like so many before them, they entered Canada through Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. When they arrived in Port Arthur, they were reunited with her father Geniale and her oldest brother Alfredo. Always strong, resilient and independent, she immediately found herself a job at Hinsperger’s Tent and Harness. This was where the first of many lifelong friendships were created.

While they worked hard during the week, Saturdays were always for family and friends, visiting each other, organizing massive picnics and always celebrating life’s good moments together. There was many a time that the basement lights stayed on at the Bruni house to the sounds of singing and dancing and eating well into the night. Eventually, she was joined by her remaining siblings Emilio, Ermelinda and Carmela as they settled here with their families.

When her son Dino was born in 1968, Ida decided to be a homemaker for a few years until he started school, and then joined Stan’s Pizza. She was a fabulous cook, and took great pride that so many would line up for those special little extras that she always added to the menu. Over the many years, the rest of the kitchen staff became her “sisterhood” of love and support (Oh, the many long, late-night phone calls!). She kept a watchful eye on the many young people working there, praising or scolding them as she saw fit, she found joy that she was adopted as their “Ma.” Nothing gave Ida more pleasure than the birth of her grandchildren, Ali, Kristi, and Nick and to be called their Nana as they laughed and played together. There could never be too many hugs and kisses as she helped them grow and flourish.

Once she got to know you, Ida treated you like a sister, like a son, like a daughter…the term family could be quite expansive. She was guided by a strong sense of loyalty and duty to those around her, and never hesitated to sacrifice her own needs in order to do things for others. Her door and her heart were always open; whatever she had, it was offered to you.

Sadly, in the last stages of her life, she became ill, and this strong pillar of our lives began to leave us, one little bit at a time. Throughout this whole time, her husband Francesco patiently and lovingly helped her to wage her battle, holding hands to the very end.

We are deeply grateful to caregivers Marina Carina (Sina) and Monika Doryn for your devotion. Thank You to Dr. Jim Scali for your many years of care. You treated her as if she were your Mother. Words are not enough.

Ida is survived and dearly missed by her loving husband, Francesco; her daughter Franca and son-in-law Mike Cuglietta and granddaughters Alina and Kristina; her son Dino and daughter-in-law Jaclyn and grandson Nick; her sisters Carmela (Armando) Bernardo and Ermelinda (Francesco) Fata; brothers Emilio (Bianca) Coccimiglio and Alfredo (Lucia) Coccimiglio along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Funeral services for the late Mrs. Ida Bruni will be held on Friday, February 2, 2018 with family and friends gathering in St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church for Funeral Mass at 10:00 am celebrated by Fr. Luigi Filippini. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday evening in the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma after 6:00 PM, with Vigil Prayers offered at 8:00 PM in the Chapel.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society; St. Joseph’s Care Group or St. Anthony Parish may be made in Ida’s memory.

God saw you getting tired
A cure not meant to be
So he put his arms around you and whispered
“Come with me”
With tearful eyes we watched you
And saw you fade away
Although we loved you dearly
We could not make you stay
A golden heart stopped beating,
Your tender hands at rest
God took you home to prove to us,
He only takes the best.