James P. Bruno

Jim Bruno Memories

Born January 25, 1928 In Steger, Illinois. Died January 3, 2019 in Redondo Beach, California.

Jim was the son of Italian immigrants, Perry Bruno and Loretta Onofrio, who had come to Steger, Illinois to work at the Steger Piano factory. He was the youngest of their children – he had two older sisters Ann and Virginia. After serving in the Navy at the end of WWII, he returned to the Midwest to attend college at Indiana State (then Indiana State Teachers College) where he met Faye, the love of his life and his wife of 56 years. After a short stay in Newman, Illinois, where Jim was a teacher and assistant coach, and after the birth of his two daughters, Janet and Jennifer, they all moved to California, following in his sisters’ footsteps, chasing the dream of year-round sunshine and citrus. He then became a business education teacher at Mira Costa HS. During a summer break, discovered the real estate business. In the early 60’s, he began his real estate career, first as an agent for other brokers, but soon embraced his entrepreneurial spirit and became a broker himself creating Continental Realty. In the 1990’s, easing back on the real estate business, he and Faye began to travel the world. Photo albums filled up quickly. Over time they accumulated over 25 cruises, along with other trips, to every part of the world (except Australia).

Throughout his life, he remained curious. He embraced technology, Facetime chatting with family and friends regularly. He remained lifelong friends with his Steger, IL high school and ISTC college buddies, though they all spread across the country and world. He loved Google – any question could be answered instantly, any wondering could be satisfied.

Jim leaves behind his daughters, Janet and Jennifer, their husbands, Bill and Gary, along with three grandchildren… Jim, Jake and Julie, as well as six great-grandchildren… Cate, Kyle, Cara, Maddie, Amelie, and Elyse.