John, a retired entrepreneur and tavern owner from Monroeville, had a special place in his heart for the Valley Forge Military Academy. So it's not surprising that he made plans to provide support for the school upon his death. He died on March 8, 2009.
A graduate of the Academy's class of 1944, John enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force following graduation. After his discharge, he attended the Thatcher Watchmaking School and opened John J. Bruno Jewelers, which he ran from 1946 until 1955.
John was also a founding partner & co-owner of Bruno-Lenchner, John J. Bruno Co. and American Investors. In 1964, he and a partner opened the Wooden Nickle, a tavern in Monroeville, which they ran together until he retired in 2002. John was an avid Steeler fan and gardener.
Before he died, he established a fund to give the all-male military school near Philadelphia more than $2 million. The Academy recognized his generous commitment and dedicated a math classroom to he and his parents. A bronze plaque at the door notes that he was a Sergeant in D Troop, the Cavalry, Class of 1944. The room is dedicated to his parents, immigrants Anna and John Bruno.
"I love my school," Bruno once said. "It did more than anything else in my lifetime to make a man of me."
The fund is designated for students demonstrating financial need who are attending Valley Forge Military Academy.
Type of Fund
- Designated