WAKEFIELD - Julia "Julie" Bruno, 93, passed away peacefully on February 28 with family by her side. She
will be greeted by her family in heaven, especially her husband Peter and daughter Linda. Julie was born
in Wakefield Michigan to Madeline and Dominic Decur. Dominic died of appendicitis when Julie was 5
years old. She was then raised by her mother and stepfather James "Jim" Bugni. Jim was one of three
Jims that owned a bar in "Jim Town". Julie's childhood home was at the bottom of Tank Hill and a very
short distance from where her husband to be of 49 years, Peter Bruno, was raised. Together they built
their family home less than a block away from where they both grew up. They raised four children:
Darlene, Linda, Bob, and John "Mick". While Julie was busy being a homemaker and raising their
children, she also worked at the Divine Infant Hospital as a Nurse's Aide until the hospital closed in the
late 70's. She then worked at Indianhead Ski Hill in housekeeping, then at Keen Ager's Assisted Living,
where she retired as a supervisor. Retirement didn't last long as she needed to keep busy. Julie worked
at La Panetteria Restaurant in Bessemer, Carlson's Supermarket and Super One deli making salads and
Antipasto. She then volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul in Bessemer until she moved to Escanaba in
2019.
Julie loved being outside doing yard work and flower gardening. When her husband passed away in
1997 she took over the vegetable and raspberry garden. When fall came, it was time for canning the
rewards of the earth. Julie was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and loved to watch Brett Favre and Aaron
Rogers throw those long passes. Christmas was Julie's favorite time of year for decorating the house
inside and out, baking cookies and preparing for the family to be home. Christmas wasn't Christmas
unless the 4 kids were home and often the grandchildren and later great-grandchildren would be there
which made it even more special. Christmas Eve tradition was to attend early mass then home for Bunya
Cauda and red wine around the kitchen table. One thing you could count on was Sunday dinner, often
being polenta and chicken stew. Julie was a devout Catholic and attended church service every Sunday.
Julie also had several special dog companions over the years (Buffy, Missy, and Faccia-Bella) who will
also be looking forward to welcoming her home.
Winters became long for her and in January 2019 Julie decided it was time to leave her home of 72 years
and move to Northwoods Assisted Living in Escanaba and then later moved to A New Dahn Rising, AFC in
Gladstone.
Julie was preceded in death by her parents Madeline and Dominic Decur and stepfather James Bugni; her
siblings Peter, Chester (Stella), Ernest (Donnie), Mary (Harold) Hallberg, Mae (Quinlan) Hampston; her
husband Peter and daughter Linda Grossman. Julie is survived by her children Darlene, Bob, Mick
(Janet); grandchildren Chad Bruno, Jeremy (Jill) Grossman, Stephen (Heather) Grossman, Paul (Kate)
Grossman and 8 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend their heart felt thank you for the excellent care and compassion she
received while at Northwoods Assisted Living and A New Dahn Rising, AFC. Also, to the Nurses and Staff
at OSF Hospital, Bishop Noa Nursing Home, and U.P. Home Health Care Hospice. Those choosing to
provide care and comfort to the ill, elderly and dying are truly angels on earth. Thank you all!
Also, the family would like to thank Jerald Rocco of the Lakeside Memorial Chapel for his most
professional services.
Visitation and the funeral took place at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield on
Friday March 3rd. A spring burial will take place at the Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield.
A memorial contribution can be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, PO Box 231, Bessemer, MI.
49911.