Luis A. Bruni

Luis A. Bruni Luis A. Bruni, beloved father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on May 3, 2012, finally bowing to the diabetes and heart disease that plagued him for many years. Son of Anthony J. Bruni, Jr. and Esther O. Cavazos Bruni, Louie, or “Big Lou” as he was called by his many friends, graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1972. He left Laredo that fall on a football scholarship to St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas. He would return to enter his profession of choice, construction, to which he dedicated the remainder of his life. Among the firms with whom he was involved: G&M Construction; Time Design, a custom home firm which he created; Better Construction and most recently, Leyendecker Construction. But what would most mark his life would be his love for family, friends, especially his childhood friends, and community. Following in the footsteps of his father, A.J. Bruni, Jr., who had dedicated all his adult life to volunteer work with the Boys & Girls Club of Laredo, Louie would do the same; eventually elected president of the organization and on its Board of Directors when he passed away. He would also serve as one of the charter members of the Jalapeno Festival, another favorite organization, dedicating time as well to Habitat of Humanity, and following his father’s footsteps once again as a member of the Laredo Rotary Club. On a more personal note, it was Louie’s unquenchable love of family and friends, his booming voice and his big heart that endeared him to all who knew him, his many lifelong friends testimony to the sincerity and genuine affection that he showed everyone that he met. He is remembered by his children as “…a Dad who lived life to the fullest, making sure that everybody he loved enjoyed it, just as much as whenever he was with us.” It is this Louie, the man who loved his family and friends with a passion equal to his love of work in his chosen profession, whom we most treasure. The man who never lost his devotion to his parents, who wished to be buried at their feet; Louie, who cherished his son and daughter, their personal historian, sharing fascinating stories , complete with dates and names for every special event; Louie who loved music, telling stories inspired by certain songs; the best brother to his siblings, Sylvia and Tony; Louie, marlin fisherman, who treasured the Mazatlan get-away’s with his Dad and brother Tony, in earlier years; Louie, who made life-long friends, friends who remained devoted to him until his death; Louie, who though battling the diabetes and heart disease that slowly robbed him of so much of his physical agility, never lost his courage or his determination to move beyond these devastating diseases. He was a man of courage, shining decency, fierce loyalty, and much love. We will dearly miss him. He is preceded in death by his father, Anthony J. Bruni, Jr.; his mother, Esther Olivia and his older brother, Anthony J. Bruni, III. Luis A. Bruni is survived by his children, Issa Triana and Luis A. Bruni, Jr; sister, Sylvia Bruni; nieces and nephews, Selina (Miguel) Villarreal, Anita Guerra, Tony (Tatiana) Villarreal and numerous cousins. He is also survived by the mother and maternal grandmother of his children, Diana Rangel Hinojosa, Celia S. Rangel, and the Rangel Family. A rosary will be recited on Sunday, May 6, 2012, at 7 p.m. in the Hillside Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 7, 2012. A mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Guests wishing to attend please meet at the Church. Services will conclude at the Church. Pallbearers will be: Mario Novoa, George Talamas, Javier Morales, Rocky Bruni, Randy Leyendecker and Rick Alexander. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Willie Alexander, Javier Hernandez, Gene Burgess, Manuel Arechiga, Danny Arechiga, Antonio Bruni, Jeremiah Bruni and Tony Villarreal. If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Rd.