Richard Ross Brundo

by Kathleen Brundo

Good afternoon. For those of you who do not know me, my name is Kathleen Brundo and I am Richard Brundo’s daughter, his rare and precious gem.

74 summers ago Richard was born on June 25th to Salvatore "Nannu" & Patricia Brundo "Nanni".

74 summers doesn't seem like a long time but in those 74 summers he made quite an impression and left a lasting legacy.

In that short time he was known and loved by many people. He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, a Godfather, a leader and a friend.

He had many names and nicknames. Richard, Dick, and Uncle Dick. He was “punkin bear” to Alida. To my brother and I he was dad or as Rick sometimes affectionately called him, “lips.” I also had a term of endearment for him and he had one in response for me but we will save those two nicknames for another time.

Dad came to California as a teenager after Nannu, my grandfather, moved the family back and forth from Buffalo, New York three times. On the third time Nanni, my grandmother, said we're staying! Culver City became their home.

After moving from Buffalo NY, to California, my Dad never saw snow again. When he said he walked three miles in the snow, he really did, so who could blame him from never wanting to see snow again.

Dad started Brundo Interiors at 19 years old on the corner of Hughes and Venice which then moved to Clarington and Venice. He was in business for 50 years. He then moved to Overland and Braddock right next to Mi-T-Mart. You all remember that shop. Ricky and I spent many a day in that shop after school with Dad and Nannu. Dad always kept us amused and busy by working on folding campaign flyers or sending us to Mi-T-Mart for treats or even pretending to have me sell carpet to Ricky. Ricky always paid too much!

He then moved to his final spot...the shop on Sepulveda right next door to Sorrento’s. Dad loved those sandwiches. Ham & Cheese, Meatball and Pepperoni. They were his favorites. Albert Sr would bring him food everyday except for Tuesday as Dad went to Exchange club.

He decorated so many homes and businesses in Culver City and even did Elvis' trailer on the MGM lot. Dad even got to meet Elvis and often told me that he was the nicest man ever. I guess that had an effect on him and may have provided inspiration for Dad's venture into the music business and his handling of Steve Long, Elvis impersonator. I even remember when Ricky and I were young kids and we were hiding under the dining room table on LeBourget watching Dad singing Elvis songs in an Elvis jumpsuit.

At 21, Dad met and married 19 year old, Diane, our mother, and they had two children, myself and my brother, Ricky. And we are the best two kids ever. Well most of the time…there was one time when Ricky took the shoe shiner to Dad’s head while he was asleep. And turned it on. It pulled Dad’s hair into the machine and woke him up from a deep sleep. Dad was so mad but there was still never any doubt how much dad loved us and how proud he was of both of us as he told us every day.

Dad became actively involved in Jaycees and then The Exchange Club. According to Dad those Jaycee conventions and parties were something else. Dad then became involved with Exchange Club and was there for 50 years. Many of his friends are here today. I remember him telling me about the cuss jar and how any member including Dad had to put money in the jar whenever they cussed. Dad so looked forward to every Tuesday's meetings and the camaraderie he shared with his friends.

Dad also became involved in Culver City. He loved it so much he ran for office and was elected to the City Council where he served for 12 years including three terms as Mayor. And don't we all remember walking those precincts in all those elections. But the treat after walking those precincts was Tito’s Tacos and well worth the effort!! Who can forget “Vote Brundo” or “People's Progress.”

There was no doubt Dad loved Culver City and politics. He was never fazed by the brutal political banter. Dad always said "I don't care what the papers say or write about me as long as they spell my name right."

Every Monday night after the city council meeting you would find everyone at Dear Johns. That was Dad's favorite spot. Whenever he wanted to go out to dinner that is where we went and the only place we went. I also know that during his dating Alida Dear John’s is the only place they went as well. Dad was definitely a creature of habit. Same place, same place. Same thing, same thing. Dad was the original long before Del Taco put out that commercial.

Dad was a man of integrity and so willing to help anyone in need. He gave so much with no expectation of pay back. He never forgot the seniors at the annual senior center thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

And let's not forget his Emceeing. Dad loved it and could work any event and any room and you all know he did, from the deb ball to the exchange club installations to all the fundraisers. That Brundo voice could lift any room. And I may be a bit biased but he rocked the tuxedo!

There are too many awards, honors and accolades to mention but we can all recall the annual Fourth of July fireworks shows, the beautification project at Culver City Middle School and the Film Strip Fountain at Vets. Dad also provided the seed money to start the Culver City Youth Health Center, which still provides services today to the youth of Culver City.

Dad was also a champion debater and he played the clarinet. He was also mistaken for Fabian regularly in his younger years and had many Hollywood friends and stories. Dad also began painting in his later years and made beautiful abstract paintings.

And who could forget the TV show on the local Culver City channel and dads signature send off...”I hope tomorrow is a bright one.”

Dad was also an extremely private man. I am sure that many of you don't know that he would shed tears whenever the star spangled banner played. He was a proud American. We were so much alike we both cried at the same movies and commercials. Oh man those hallmark commercials always got us!

The last twenty-one years of Dad's life were spent with Alida. They met thru The Exchange Club. It's ironic as Dad always said that Exchange Club was a man’s club and no women were allowed yet she became the first woman member. The rest is history. Alida instantly became part of the family. We are so thankful as she made him so very happy. Every time I was with dad and he mentioned her name he would smile so big. What a love affair! She was his fluffy!

Dad was always there for anyone who needed anything and that included his family. Whenever anyone was feeling insecure he would say, “Straighten out and fly right.” I can still hear those words when he spoke them to me.

In the simplest words he was not just my Dad but he was my hero.

Remember Death is not the end. For all of us he will remain in our hearts.

There is an Eskimo legend that says maybe they are not stars in the sky But openings in heaven where The love of our lost ones comes through And shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.

So we should not be sad that he is gone but be thankful that he was.

I love you dad.