Bruno A Colbacchini

Bruno Colbacchini passed away peacefully on August 10th, 2024, surrounded by the love of his family. He is survived by his children, Don (Kathy), Pat (Chuck), and Rick (Tracy), as well as his grandchildren, James, Stefani, Kelly, Amber, Staci, Sara, Scott, and Alex, and great-grandchildren, Maddie, Clark, Rose, Emma, and Hailey. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Rosemary Colbacchini.

Bruno was born on a farm in Kankakee, Illinois, in the same bedroom where his mother had been born. As a teenager, he was often sent to work on that farm to escape the Scarlet Fever outbreaks that swept through Chicago during the summers. He cherished the many stories and experiences he gained during his time there.

Bruno enlisted in the Marines in 1953. During this time he was trained as an Electronics Technician, igniting a lifelong passion for electronics. He served for 2 years in Homestead, Florida and quickly fell in love with the area. Later when he had an opportunity to relocate his family down to Florida, he did so.

After leaving the Marine Corps in 1955, Bruno used the G.I. Bill to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering, taking night classes while working as an electrician in Chicago. Following his graduation, he embarked on a 27-year career with Motorola, where he contributed to groundbreaking projects, including the development of the first cell phones and the first portable EKG machines.

Bruno was a man of many interests and talents, and he shared nearly all of them with his beloved brother, Dino. Whether it was embarking on new business ventures, exploring new hobbies, or simply enjoying life’s adventures, the two were inseparable. They enjoyed boating, water skiing, as well as scuba diving, snow skiing, and family vacations. Bruno was a successful entrepreneur, having co-founded one of the first laundromats in Chicago with Dino. He often remarked that if they had opened a few more laundromats, it could have been a full-time venture. Bruno also held a private pilot’s license and owned his own aircraft.

Above all, Bruno cherished his wife, family, friends, and community. He will be missed by many.

Visitation services will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Kraeer Funeral Home, 1655 N University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33071, from 4 – 8 p.m. A Mass service will follow at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society in Bruno’s memory.