Saturday, October 11, 2025
Eulogy for Grandpa Bruno
Good afternoon everyone,
Thank you all for being here today to celebrate the almost 97-year life of my grandpa, Bruno Patti. If you knew him, you knew he wasn’t one for big speeches or grand gestures. He was a quiet man — the kind who let his actions speak louder than his words. And those actions? They spoke volumes.
Grandpa was hardworking to the core. Whether he was managing a team at the RCA Victor, business owner of Smiths Falls Rideau Cleaners, volunteering as a member of the Lions club, helping a neighbor, or just quietly doing what needed to be done — he did it without fuss, without fanfare, and usually without asking for help.
Now, I’d be lying if I said Grandpa was always serious. Because if you ever saw him with a little wine in his glass — well, that was a different story. Suddenly, the quiet man had jokes. And not just any jokes — Bruno had the kind of humor that snuck up on you. Dry, clever, and just a little mischievous. You’d be laughing before you even realized what he said.
He had this twinkle in his eye — especially when he was teasing someone he loved. And if you were lucky enough to be on the receiving end of one of his jokes, you knew you were in his circle.
Grandpa had his passions. He loved golf. Not just the game, but the peace of it, the rhythm, the challenge. He could spend hours out there, multiple days a week and even if the score didn’t go his way, he’d come home with a grin and a story — usually about a shot that almost went in.
And then there were the cards. If you ever sat across from Bruno at a card table, you knew you were in for a good time — and probably a loss. He had that quiet confidence, the kind that made you second-guess your hand.
Bruno also loved to cook. It was one of the ways he expressed his pride in his Italian heritage. We enjoyed family dinners every Sunday for the entirety of my childhood and beyond. He didn’t just make meals — he made memories. One of my favorites was when he taught me how to make spaghetti from scratch. Not just the sauce, but the pasta too. It was messy, it was slow, and it was perfect. He didn’t say much while we cooked, but every movement was a lesson. And every bite afterward was a reminder that love can be quiet, and still fill you up completely. Stracciatella soup will forever be a staple in our home because of him. Or as my kids like to call it, yellow soup. So much easier to say.
And of course — we can’t forget the hair. Grandpa had jet-black hair well into his 80s. Everyone thought he dyed it. He didn’t. It was just one of those Bruno Patti mysteries — Now in my early 40’s I can already tell you that I was not the lucky recipient of that gene.
He was always there. He always showed up. At my dance recitals, my figure skating competitions and more recently his great grandkids hockey games, but perhaps the most beautiful part of Bruno’s life was his love for his wife, my grandma Pat. Over 70 years of love and devotion. That kind of partnership is rare. Together, they did so much living. They traveled, they hosted parties with friends, and they made sure their kids experienced fun vacations – the kind that turn into stories you tell for the rest of your life.
Holidays look different now. There’s empty chairs, missing laughs, a quiet absence. But so many of their traditions will live on — in the meals we cook, the games we play, the stories we tell. And in those moments, they are still with us.
Grandpa didn’t need to be loud to be loved. He didn’t need to be flashy to be respected. He was steady, kind, and real. And in a world that often feels too fast and too loud, he was a quiet anchor for all of us.
We’ll miss his calm presence, his quiet strength, and yes — his wine-fueled one-liners. But more than anything, we’ll miss the way he made us feel: grounded, loved, and lucky to be part of his life.
So here’s to you Bruno/dad/grandpa/grampy/friend — a man of few words, but a lifetime of meaning. I hope right now you are swing dancing with grandma in heaven like you did when you stole the show at my wedding. Tonight, I will raise a glass of merlot in your honor.
Thank you.
