CMSgt Dennison Leslie Bruno

Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt.) Dennison Leslie Bruno passed away on March 29, 2023. Chief Bruno was born in Toronto Canada on February 10th 1923. During his youth he spent time between Scotland and Canada.

When WWII broke out he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and became a Flight Engineer on a six-crew Halifax Bomber. A night time combat-bombing mission over Germany ended with his four-engine Hallifax aircraft being shot down on 10 February 1943. Dennison and another crew member were the only ones to escape from the burning aircraft. On the ground, he evaded the enemy for a few days but was subsequently captured and spent 17 months in Stalag IV B, a German Prisoner of War Camp. After the war, Chief Bruno immigrated to the United States, became a citizen, and joined the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1948. Chief Bruno served for thirty years in the USAF and attained the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant before his retirement in 1978. His service included duty in Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan China, Norway, Guam, Japan and stateside assignments. He is a highly decorated Royal Canadian and United States Air Force veteran.

After retirement he pursued a career in real estate in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. Chief Bruno was a member of the West Central Chapter of American Prisoners of War, a life member of VFW post 6873, a Lions Club Member, Dyess Chief’s Group Member, Tye Square Dance Member and an active member of the Discovery Bible Church Abilene, Texas.

Chief Bruno married his wife, Barbara Crane, in 1959, and she preceded him in death in 1999. He married Ruby Fujita in 2001, and she preceded him in death in 2019.

The family wishes to thank his very close friends, Paul Washinsky and Carolyn Walden, Wesley Court Senior Living and Nursing Home, Gentiva Health Service, Enhabit Hospice and all the medical professionals who cared for him over the years.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at Wesley Court Senior Living in Abilene. A graveside memorial inurnment with full military honors will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Discovery Bible Church, 810 Butternut St., Abilene, TX 79602.