Bruno Scarite

He was born to the late Joseph and Josephine (Messina) Scarite in Caspian, on Sept. 16, 1930. He grew up in Alpha, attended Porter School, graduating in 1950.

He was a star player on the basketball team, ran track and pole vaulted. After high school, Bruno attended Greer Technical College in Chicago, for training in mechanics and auto transmission.

After completing the course and graduating, he took a job in Chicago with the Cadillac Motor Division. Six months later he was drafted into the Army to serve in Korea where he earned three Bronze Stars and other medals.

After returning home in 1956, he asked the love of his life, Joann Sturman of Iron Mountain, to marry him. They wed and started a family with three children.

Bruno owned and operated Alpha Scarite Sinclair gas station and Village Market. He also worked for the Iron County Road Commission as a maintenance/driver operator for 22 years. After retirement, he also worked as a school bus driver for the kids in Alpha.

During his lifetime Bruno was very involved in the community and his church. He was a drummer in many local bands and became a member of the Federation of Musicians. A member of the VFW, the American Legion and the Elks, he also served as a trustee of the Mastodon Township Board at one time. He was a member of the Catholic Knights of Columbus, 4th degree Iron River assembly and a parishioner of Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Crystal Falls. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Alpha Senior Center.

In his leisure time, Bruno enjoyed hunting deer and rabbits and watching all different sports on television. He and his wife, Joann, enjoyed traveling around the U.P. and had a strong bond with a multitude of friends in the local area.

In the recent past Bruno received most of his medical care at the VA Hospital in Iron Mountain. He greatly appreciated all the doctors, nurses and staff who helped him there. He was also very appreciative of health care providers he saw on a regular basis. He always felt well looked after by all of them.

Bruno loved Alpha and always cited the benefits of living in his beloved village to others.

Bruno is survived by his wife, Joann of Alpha; his children, son, Joseph (Faith) Scarite of Beaumont, Calif., daughter, Gina (John) Leary of Abrams, Wis., and son, Greg Scarite of Crystal Falls; his sister, Francis Spitzer of New Berlin, Wis.; his grandson, Spence Leary, and his granddaughter, Lilli Leary, of Abrams; and many nieces and nephews.

Bruno was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Seraphino and Nickoklas Scarite.

Visitation will be from 9 until 10:45 a.m. at the Nash Funeral Home in Crystal Falls on Friday, Jan. 10. The Eastside Veterans will have a pass and review and accord military rites at 10:15 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at the Guardian Angels Catholic Church with Fr. Daniel Dapaah officiating. Internment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in the spring.

Condolences to the family of Bruno Scarite may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net.

The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.