Obituary of BRUNO GIORDANO

Giglio Bruno Giordano born July 29, 1929, aka Bruno Egilio Giordano, a former native and Mayor of Stamford (1967-1969) passed away May 27, 2016 in Voorhees, NJ. Bruno had many nicknames “Mr. G” and “Coach” was the most common. He began his civil service in 1942 when he sold the most War Bonds as a young Advocate newsboy to support his brothers and all who were serving in the armed forces. His leadership skills were first recognized during his Sr. year at Stamford High School, where he was Captain of both the track and cross country teams. He went on to attend the University of Connecticut from 1947-1951, completing a Bachelor of Science Degree. Bruno became an All-American Cross Country runner and standout athlete on the indoor/outdoor track teams in the one and two mile distances. He was also the Captain of the cross country squad during his Jr. and Sr. years. He was selected for Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1951. Bruno was inducted into UCONN’s Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame in Nov. 2014. During his tour of duty in the Air Force (1951-1955), he earned a Masters of Education degree from Boston University. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Competition Marathon but was unable to attend because of the Korean Conflict. Bruno is survived by his former wife, Carmella Guglielmo, who he married in 1953. Soon after the Air Force, he returned to Stamford, and began a teaching career in Physical Education at Burdick Jr. High School. His passion for helping others soon extended to civic affairs as well; In April 1959, the personnel committee of Stamford’s Italian Center recruited Bruno as the Executive Director. Under his leadership, there was an increased emphasis on children and young adult activities. In August 1960, he brought about an effort to realize the merger of the Italian Center with the Italian Institute. He received the second highest honor given by the Italian government for his outstanding work at the center and service on the American Committee on Italian migration. The Italian Center doubled their summer camp registration. Other initiatives included a part-time nursery school, revived the drama club, opened numerous teenage clubs, as well as introducing a popular MARDI GRAS costume ball. One of the highlights for the teenagers was their participation on Dick Clark’s “American Band Stand”, one of the most popular TV shows of its time. A businessmen’s club and also a women’s club, the Ladies Association for Civic Effort were very active in fundraising efforts for the Center and its programs. The Ladies Association held a dinner dance in 1961raising over $100,000. This illustrated the widespread community support of the Italian Center. In 1962, expansion and renovations of the building on South Street were completed, providing a new home for the Italian Center. In 1966, Mario DeCarlo, President of the Italian Center announced that the membership was over 3,000. The city of Stamford took notice of Bruno’s leadership. His last year as Executive Director came one year prior to running for Mayor. Bruno’s election to the office of Mayor of his beloved city in 1967 was a true testament of his personal commitment to civic responsibility. He served one term as Mayor during a very challenging time. Nonetheless, his accomplishments were numerous and noteworthy. Serving during the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy, his actions prevented riots throughout the city as our nation mourned – no easy task, as violence was rampant throughout urban America during this time. Stamford had its worst storm to hit the northeast since 1900 in February of 1969. Nearly 2 million people saw more than 30 inches of snow. As Mayor he kept the town up and running. The Urban Renewal Commission began a plan for the beautification of Stamford. In May 1968, Ladybird Johnson came to Stamford to open Kiwanis Park bringing more than 2,200 people to celebrate this achievement. He has been credited for being the first Mayor to fund the Police, Fire and Custodian Pensions and contributed to the success of the South End Community Center and Glenbrook Community Center. Bruno Giordano acquired 128 acres for the city of Stamford to be used as the Sterling Farms Golf Course on December 8, 1968. It has become one of the busiest municipal golf courses in the country. This returns over $300,000 in annual revenue to the City. In addition, his love of the arts and youth services is continued by four buildings on this land dedicated to the Kweskin Theatre programs and now administered by Curtain Call Inc. A plaque honoring his vision and dedication was installed on June 6, 2013. In the years that followed, he became the founder, publisher and co-editor of the Stamford Forum, a free weekly newspaper from 1970-1973, as well as the Superintendent of Stamford Parks and Recreation until his retirement from public service in 1991. As Superintendant for nearly 18 years, his efforts supported many programs including Youth Soccer, Miss Softball America and recreational centers throughout the city. During his retirement in New Jersey he was a Senior Adviser for the U.S. Army Veterans Support Command, Vietnamese POW-MIA a private, nonprofit agency serving the nation and recognized by the U.S.Congress. His memberships, awards & honors include but not all: Boy Scouts of America: Eagle Scout, Honorary Life Member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Chamber of Commerce Young Man of the Year (1956), President of the United Way Executives Council (1964), Stamford’s Historical Society (he donated many of his working papers), Stamford Recreation Commission, Knights of Columbus, , President of Stamford Lions Club, Honorary Member of Stamford Kiwanis Club, Chairman of Connecticut Catholic War Veterans and Gravinese Mutual Aid Society, Honorary Police Chief of Stamford Retired Police Association, Received honorary title of “Doctor of Humane Letters”: Tiber University, Roma Italy, Co-Chairman of St. Jude’s Children Cancer Hospital – Stamford Fundraising Committee. He is predeceased by his son, Bruno R., brothers Angelo, Frank and Michael (Rose), sister Angelina (Neal) Ferullo, sister-in-law Marian and parents Eglio and Veneranda Giordano. His surviving loved ones: daughters Esther-Marie and Vera-Lynn (Wolf), and sons Vincent (Susan) and Angelo (Karen), daughter-in-law Cecelia Lampitelli, grandchildren: Daniel, Christin, Joshua, Lynn, Carina and Alana, brothers: Ralph (Rose) , Jim (Betty), and Philip, and nieces, nephews, cousins, friends in Stamford and New Jersey. A private burial is planned with a public Memorial Service on August 7, 2016 from 1-3 at the Lacerenza Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford, CT. The Giordano family is grateful to the Lacerenza family for their generous gift from their father to ours. In lieu of flowers: Please consider making a donation in Bruno’s memory to Stamford Recreation Services, Mayor’s Youth Recreation Scholarship Initiativehttp://www.stamfordrecreation.com/nm/articlefiles/159-donation%20flyer%202013.pdf