Obituary of Sergio G. Bruni

Sergio Bruni loved and was loved as a leader, father, husband, and grandfather. A doer, maker, and a lifelong learner. A tinkerer, builder, photographer, and inventor. He was on an endless pursuit for perfection, never settling for "good enough". Sergio was a charismatic storyteller with a charming sense of humor and a quick smile. He told tales of his childhood in Florence, Italy during WWII, his adventures in youth as one of six siblings.

He immigrated to San Francisco at the age of 21 and several years later, met his wife, Ilde (1929 – 2016), a professional chef who also immigrated from Florence during the war.

Tirelessly, through hard work and perseverance, Sergio carved a career path. With a sixth-grade education and few English words, he worked his way up from a Pacific Gas & Electric Company trench digger to Forman of the San Francisco Gas Division supervising over 100 men for more than three decades. By his crew, he was lovingly termed “the Godfather”, not only for his Pacino-esque good looks, but for the intelligent and firm hand with which he managed.

He retired after 35 years to help raise his grandchildren which he did with the same energy and enthusiasm that he applied to all aspects of his life. 

Sergio and his wife were happily married for 64 years and together they raised two daughters, Paola and Rossana Bruni, and two grandchildren, Rachel and Marcus Eisendorf.  

To Sergio, family was everything. His success was not an act of selfishness, but an effort to improve the lives of those around him. And he did. 

What he expected from you, you could expect from him. And more. 

He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 126 High St, Santa Cruz, CA on Friday October 5, 2018 beginning at 11:30 am. A vigil prayer service and recital of the holy Rosary will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, CA on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm. Visitation will be held at Benito & Azzaro’s Chapel on Thursday from 4:00 pm until service time. He will be laid to rest at Santa Cruz Memorial Park, Santa Cruz, CA.

To express your condolences or share a remembrance with Sergio’s family please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com.