Bruno Joseph Arena

Bruno Joseph Arena passed away Sunday, October 27th 2024, at the age of 87. He was born in West Paterson, New Jersey on July 24th 1937, to Salvatore and Maria Concetta Arena, who had emigrated from Sant’Andrea, Italy. Bruno grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Passaic Valley High School in 1955. His senior yearbook was filled with notes from classmates calling him a “swell guy” and “a friend to all.” He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in business management from Fairleigh Dickinson University. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army for two years with most of his time spent in Germany.

Upon returning to the United States, he began his career as a business education teacher in Bridgeton, New Jersey and continued at Ridgefield Park High School. While teaching, he also furthered his education with a master’s degree from Montclair State University. Bruno volunteered at high school football games and was responsible for the work study program coordinating community work opportunities for his business students. Those who knew Bruno loved his stories from his childhood and early teaching days. One favorite was while walking into a high school football game, one of his students said, “Hey Mr. Arena, why don’t you have a party and invite your pants down to meet your shoes?”

Bruno met his wife, Patricia “Pat” Schreck, an elementary school teacher, through mutual friends. They married in August of 1974 and had two daughters, Andrea and Eileen. In 1979, after teaching for 17 years, Bruno and his family moved to Tucson, Arizona so he could begin a new career working alongside his brother, Andrew, in his custom home-building business.

During his time in Tucson, Bruno enjoyed weekly walks at the Sabino Canyon recreation area. He loved to build model trains and was part of the Tucson model railroad club. He also enjoyed doing detailed landscape work around their home and at Christmastime, he took great pride in his perfect outdoor light display. Legend has it that he used a ruler to measure exactly four inches between each row of lights!

At the age of 74, Bruno and Pat made a move to San Antonio to be closer to Andrea and her family. For the next 13 years, he spent many hours enjoying time with their grandchildren, as well as bowling with a senior league and even practicing yoga at a local gym. He loved working on a good 500-piece puzzle, spending endless hours on word search books, and watching his beloved New York Yankees on television. Bruno was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend – a kind and gentle man who will be missed greatly and remembered fondly.

He is survived by his loving wife, Pat, of 50 years; daughters Andrea Wade (Sean) and Eileen Schackmuth (Kurt); and four grandchildren, Elizabeth, Joseph, Thomas and Nicholas. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Nan Arena, nephew Andy Arena Jr. (Heather) and niece Tara Newton (J), as well as many grandnieces and grandnephews and extended family across the country. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Andrew S. Arena.

The family is grateful for the care provided by Embrace Hospice during Bruno’s final days. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels San Antonio 2718 Danbury St., San Antonio, TX 78217 https://www.mowsatx.org. A Roman Catholic Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Helotes, TX on Friday, November 15th at 11:00am with reception to follow.