Dominick (Nick) Bruni, 90, of North Hanover, passed away Thursday, July 8, 2010 at his home with his family and his loving companion Margot Kelly at his side. His wife of 59 years, Ida, preceded him in death in 2002. Born in Twin Oaks, Pa., Nick was a resident of North Hanover since 1959. He entered the Navy in 1939 just prior to the beginning of WWII. He married his sweetheart Ida Forte in 1942 in Chester, PA. She was a traditional Navy wife crisscrossing the country to be near Nick's home ports and establishing residences and raising six children during the long absences of a serviceman. Among the many ships he served on were the U.S.S. Omaha in the Southern Atlantic and the U.S.S. General Mann. He had a distinguished career in the Navy, early on rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer at the outset of WWII, serving in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters during the War, then, among many other assignments, teaching navigation at Annapolis and receiving many medals and commendations before retiring in 1960 at McGuire Air Force Base. After retirement he and Ida started Delaware Valley Spray Service, a successful lawn and tree care company still in business today. Nick enjoyed gardening; his garden was renowned for the fresh fruits and vegetables which he delighted in giving away to all his friends and family members every summer at his annual family reunion and picnic; fresh eggs from his free range chickens were also sought after! Traveling to Navy reunions and visiting his children and grandchildren were so very special to him. Cultivating and harvesting mushrooms, photography and collecting antiques were also favorite pastimes. Nick lived a full and active life until his final days.

Son of the late Frank and Antonette Bruni, Nick is survived by three daughters, Gloria (Mike) Shirley of Boise Idaho, Stephanie (Tom) Palma of Virginia and Teresa of Whispering Pines, NC., and three sons, Frank of California, James (Dawn) of North Hanover and Paul (Victoria) also of North Hanover along with eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Edith Federoff of Boothwyn, PA and Philomena Zawadzki, of Chester, PA. He was preceded in death by ten siblings. A sincere thank you to all the close family members and Masonic Hospice Services for such loving care.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Assumption, 76 Evergreen Road in New Egypt on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 12 noon, with burial at 1 p.m. at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery. A viewing will be held Tuesday evening from 7 â?? 9 pm and Wednesday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 am at Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St., Allentown, NJ.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Research, 1111 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714