Stephen Eugene Bruno

Stephen Eugene Bruno passed away with grace and dignity at his beloved farm in Port Sydney, Ontario on July 21st, 2023 surrounded by family, friends and his loyal golden retriever, Little Bear.  

Steve was born to Mario and Margaret (High) Bruno in Stoneham, Massachusetts, U.S.A., on September 24th, 1949.  While growing up, he was active in sports and was proud to be the Captain of the Wakefield High School Football Team.  

He obtained his degree in Adaptive Physical Education and Outdoor Education through football scholarships at Garden City Junior College, Kansas and Weber State University in Utah.

Steve then moved to Canada to become a Physical Education Instructor at the Atlantic Provinces Resource Centre for the Hearing Impaired in Amherst, Nova Scotia.  During his ten-years there, he introduced students to many activities including wrestling, canoeing and cross-country skiing. He was an Amateur Wrestling Association official, a Team Canada manager for the National Wrestling Junior Team and a Canada Games Coach.

In 1983 he was hired as the head coach for the Mount Allison University Football Team in Sackville, New Brunswick. Then in 1984 he led the Mounties to their first ever Atlantic College Championship and qualified to compete in the 20th Vanier Cup, the Canadian National Championship. He was awarded the Canadian National Coach of the Year.

Steve and his family moved to Ontario where he was a football coach at McMaster University in Hamilton for four years.  He then left the sporting world to follow his passion for the outdoors.  After coordinating a marketing project for the Conservation Lands of Ontario, he transitioned into the Outdoor Nature and Adventure Product Development and Marketing/Partnership Coordinator for Ontario Tourism (Destination Ontario). 

Steve was a very special man who had a strong impact on the lives of all those he met.  He put his heart and soul into everything he did.  He loved learning and sharing his passion for nature and the outdoors - paddling, fishing, dogs, birding, gardening, beekeeping, raising chickens and photography.

Steve is survived by his wife, Trish Manning; his brothers Jim (Carol), Philip (Robin) and Charles (Pat); his children Tom and Beth Bruno (their mother Carolyn Bruno); his sister-in-law Catherine Keetch (Rick) and many close cousins, nieces, nephews, teammates and friends.

Steve and Trish express their deep gratitude to the caring Cancer Nursing Staff at the Huntsville Hospital and the Huntsville Palliative Care Team.  A special thanks to Dr. Allison Small for helping Steve to pass peacefully and with dignity.

At Steve’s request, there will be no funeral or Celebration of Life.

A small gift of remembrance would be welcomed by Bear with Us Centre for Bears – Rehabilitation, Education, Sanctuary or to the Steve Bruno Memorial Garden via Go-Fund-Me.