Bruno Tonolli
November 11, 1938 ~ July 8, 2012
Bruno died peacefully at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital with loving family in attendance. Over the past two years, he fought a brave battle with cancer and amazed everyone with his optimism and positive attitude. Bruno was born in Trento, Italy; the fifth child of ten born to Silvino and Rosa Tonolli. He will be sadly missed by Joyce, his wife of 47 years; daughter, Christina Hales (John); son, Mark Tonolli (Anita); and daughter, Liza Bishop (Jason); his precious grandchildren: Luke, Andrew, Owen and Zoe; brothers Fioravante, Lino, and Aldo; sisters: Ada, Anna-Maria, Rita, Renata, Carla and Luciana; and many nieces and nephews.
Bruno emigrated to Canada in 1959 and came to Nanaimo in 1965 to manage the beauty salon in the new Tally Ho Motel. He later opened his own salon, Bruno’s Coiffures Ltd., on Wallace Street and moved to Northbrook Mall when it was built in 1967. He operated his business at that location for 45 years. He loved his job and his clients were more than that, they were friends.
He built his dream home overlooking Pipers Lagoon, where for 45 years he enjoyed creating wonderful family gatherings, sharing from his garden and keeping his wood pile very full. He was a member of the Quinsam Fishing Club for 35 years and was proud to still hold the record for catching the longest fish.
Bruno was a charter member of the Kiwanis Sunrisers Club of Nanaimo and a very active member for 26 years. His pet project was the Bullhead Derby for children, which he chaired for 26 years.
Remember Bruno by helping others – what a lovely way to remember this kind, terrific man. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Funeral Service will be held at Saint Peters Catholic Church in Nanaimo, July 16, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in Bruno’s memory, to the Canadian Cancer Society.
First Memorial Funeral Services
(250) 754-8333