MOUNT CARMEL - Bruno J. Leonardi, 345 S. Beech St., formerly of 226 W. Fourth St., turned 100 years old Dec. 9.
He was born in 1912 in Tuenno, in the providence of Trento, Austria, now in Italy.
He was a son of Mary Zanolini and Luigi Leonardi and the oldest of five siblings. He is the last surviving member of his family. His siblings were Ines (Leonardi) Bressan, Esther Leonardi, Bruna (Leonardi) Zanella and Ezio Leonardi.
Upon discharge from the Italian army in December 1933, he left Italy by ship for America. He arrived later that month.
He worked many jobs, including for the Mount Carmel Water Company and as a mechanic for Albertini Motors. He eventually went to New York City to live with his uncle and worked as a mechanic and driver for a New York cab company.
On April 9, 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Army to serve in World War II. After his training, he was assigned to serve with the 98th Ordnance Co. heavy-tank maintenance unit, serving in southern France, central Europe and Casablanca in Africa. He attained the rank of technician fourth grade (sergeant) and received the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, EAME Theater Service Medal with three Bronze Stars and Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged Nov. 16, 1945.
He returned to Mount Carmel to work as a mechanic for Albertini Motors, then for Frederick Zuech garage in Strong. He took classes at a trade school on West Sixth Street in Mount Carmel, which is now the site of a playground.
He met and eventually married Theresa Pupo of Mount Carmel on Sept. 28, 1946, and set up housekeeping on South Poplar Street in an apartment above Bressan's Bar (now Dorko's). In April 1952, they moved to 226 W. Fourth St. They had three children: Marytheresa, married to Ray Hornberger, Mount Carmel; Rose Jean Leonardi, Northumberland, and Louis Leonardi, Mount Carmel, and a grandson, Adam Hornberger, son of Marytheresa and Ray Hornberger, of Mount Carmel. Theresa Leonardi passed away on March 13, 2003, after 56 years and six months of marriage.
Bruno lived at his Fourth Street home until January 2010, and now lives with Marytheresa and Ray at 345 S. Beech St., Mount Carmel.
In 1951, he and his brother Ezio opened Mount Carmel Dry Cleaners and Tailoring Shop on West Butternut Street. In the early 1960s, they moved the business to 515 W. Fifth St. They stayed in business until their retirement in June 1989. They also both worked as mail contract carriers for the U.S. Postal Service from the early 1970s until December 1996. They fully retired at the ages of 84 and 74, respectively.
Bruno, his wife and children, parents and in-laws traved through the United States and Canada. In 1975, Bruno returned to his hometown of Tuenno, Italy, for a visit with family and friends. He also went to Rome and to Isca (southern Italy) to see where his wife was born.
Attending his birthday party at the Atlas American Legion were friends, family, acquaintances, his pastor the Rev. John Szada, Mayor J. Kevin and Donna Jones, who presented Bruno with a proclamation declaring Dec. 10 as Bruno John Leonardi Day, his doctor, Dr. Greg Burke, and his wife, Kim.
The party was given by Marytheresa and Ray and grandson, Adam and his wife, Beth.
Guests from as far away as Naples, Fla., attended.
A Mass in his honor was celebrated by Szada Dec. 9 in Divine Redeemer Church.