Joseph Bruzzese
Born April 22, 1929
Died February 3, 2016
Husband, Father, Grandfather
United States Naval Officer and New York City Firefighter
Joseph was born in 1929 in Brooklyn, New York. Upon graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and completed a tour that took him around the world. When he returned to Brooklyn he had the good fortune of meeting Lillian Concetta Raimondi, whose hand he would ask for in marriage and who would become his beloved wife of 62 years. Soon after marriage, the couple moved to Oceanside, Long Island where they bought their first house. They would eventually make their home and raise their three children in Bellmore, Long Island.
Joseph worked as a New York City Firefighter and enjoyed hunting in Upstate New York as well as fishing on the South Shore of Long Island. He purchased a fiberglass cabin-cruiser named "Beauty" that would light up his dock and shoreline and provide fond memories of boating and fishing, as well sunsets on the bay. An excellent artist, Joseph painted elaborate oil-based murals that adorned the walls of his fire station, as well as smaller works, including charcoal drawings, and sculpture. He also loved to cook, enjoyed gardening and landscape design, and was an avid reader.
For some thirty years, Joseph continued his love of fishing, cooking, and reading, in Florida, and attended mass regularly at St. Mark Catholic Church in Boynton Beach. Joseph was extremely active in the community with his wife and friends, including travel, golf, bowling, and coordinating and participating in clubhouse events. Survived by his wife Lillian, his three children, Joseph, James, and Natalie, as well as five grandchildren, Joseph remains ever-present and loved.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 pm on Monday, February 8, 2016, at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be celebrated 12:30 pm Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at St. Mark Catholic Church, Boynton Beach with interment to follow at the South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth at 2:15 PM, Lane 5.