Bruce Longo, age 72, of Tabernacle NJ, was called to heaven after a long and courageous battle brought on by unforeseen complications from triple bypass surgery over the past months. The strength that "Bruce the Bull" showed throughout this final chapter of his life was nothing short of inspiring and it's exactly this trait that defined Bruce's life. Born in Trenton, Bruce grew up in rural Monroe Township. He met the love of his life; Barbara Longo at Hightstown High School and they married shortly after graduation. Bruce and Barb had 44 years of wedded bliss, in which they raised their family in Willingboro Township for the first 20 plus years, before moving to their dream home and haven in Tabernacle in 1996. Bruce is a US Army Veteran, having served his time stateside in El Paso Texas during the Vietnam Era. Bruce has always worked hard his entire life and like many first born, he's a natural leader. He has been the manager or boss in almost every job he has ever had, going back to his days at Shop Rite, and SunnySide Farms, to the time he owned his own Bread Route in Martins Potato Rolls, to his final career path in the family business, serving as the VP and Top Salesman at Diversified Rack and Shelving for the past thirty years. Bruce was still working full time at the onset of his surgery and subsequent critical illness this year. Anybody who knows Bruce can tell you he was the Life of the Party! Bruce had a larger-than-life personality, and he could literally light up the room with his energy, confidence, charm, smile, card tricks or a joke. People have always been drawn to him because he exuded a genuine warmth, a cool confidence, and wit that would rival that of anyone! Bruce had a deep appreciation and value for family and tradition that he passed along to all of us. It was the small tradition of visiting and hosting family that he demonstrated throughout his life. In his downtime, Bruce found enjoyment toiling in his garden, barbecuing in his yard, hosting family and friends for pool parties and card games. He also always found happiness at the beach, with his toes in the sand and a good cold beer in his hand while watching the sunrise and set. Bruce placed a big value on keeping his home and his life meticulously organized and it's a trait he's passed on or at least tried to with all of us. He could always be found outside working on something or tooling around with his baby blue 1976 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Givenchy classic car that he enjoyed entering in car shows. Bruce was a lifelong NY Yankees fan and enjoyed collecting Yankee and baseball memorabilia.

Son of the late Salvatore and Anna(nee Simonetti) Longo, he was predeceased by his wife Barbara Longo in 2012, and recently was predeceased by his younger brother David Longo. He is survived by his four children; Kellie and Dan Breslin, Jennifer Longo, Rebecca and Jason Laino, and Anthony and Chelsea Longo; his nine grandchildren that include Nick, Joe, and Grace Breslin, JT and Mia Mutchler, Alexander and Cameron Laino, Alice and Anna Longo; his companion Kim Bazley and her six children and five grandchildren; as well as his brother and sister in law Ron and Diana Longo; his sister Mary Ann Longo; as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family and friends.

A viewing will be held Sunday September 11th from 1-5 pm and again 10-11 am on Monday September 12th at the Peppler Funeral Home 114 S. Main St., Allentown NJ. Funeral Service will begin at 11 am on Monday September 12th at the funeral home and burial will immediately follow at St. John's Cemetery, Allentown NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bruce's name to Cooper University Health Care ℅ the Cooper Foundation, 101 Haddon Avenue, Suite 302, Camden NJ 08103 or online at http://support.foundation.cooperhealth.org/donate and direct it to ICU NURSING. And/or please donate blood with the American Red Cross.