Memories of Fr. Bruno
by Irene Caldwell, O.C.D.S.
Father
always valued people as God’s gift to us.
I am very grateful that God put the gift of Fr. Bruno into my life.
I met Fr. Bruno in the early 1990’s. He became my spiritual director in the middle part of the 90’s. He gave of himself; he was kind, gentle, and loving.
My sister-in-law, Anne Morton and I met with him a month before he knew of his brain cancer. He gave his time even though he was not feeling well. He made us feel very special.
The next time I saw him was after his surgery, by now he knew of his brain cancer. He was in good humor and asked about others, he offered all his suffering for others. He was up that day and washing at the sink, his face and hands, also shaving. I helped him and also washed this holy man’s back.
The next time I saw him was at Presentation Nursing Home. He was in a very hot room and was in his wheel chair. He was quiet; he was always in God’s hands. I went to this nursing home about five times, one time my sister-in-law, Anne, came with me, we found him very hot and running a high fever. God’s grace worked on me that day, all the staff were busy so I got cold water and a face cloth to get his fever down. By the time we were ready to go, he thanked me and gave us a blessing. The last time I saw this holy man in this nursing home (Presentation), he was in a better room. I went one more time, only to find him not there but back at the Hospital. He was in ICU so I did not see him that day. I did get to see him the next time, but did not think he knew I was there. I did not think he was going to make it then, but God had other plans for this holy man.
My next visit was at Marist Hill Nursing Home; he was better but his total care was on others. The staff was very good to him. When he was a little stronger I gave him a haircut. His days and months there were: Mass, lunch. T.V. and many visits from people who loved him. He loved to pray with you and for you. His blessings were full of love. He said this was his home for now and all the people his family.
I met many people there and made new friends, what a grace from this holy man. I visited him many times. I met his Godchild, Ely Yap, and his family. They became very special to me and are still special.
In July, he was getting weaker, he could no longer feed himself and his food was like baby food but still his concern was for others. When his roommate Tommy passed, he said, “He was lucky.”
On July 14th, at night, he became very sick. He was not to eat or get up again. When he could talk, he asked how you were; he knew that God was soon calling him home. Many times that week I said he “soon would be the lucky one”. I stayed with him one night that week and he said the next day, “Go home and rest. I will be o.k. I am in God’s hands.”
On July 21st I arrived at 11:00 a.m., next to come was Marcy, then Fr. Paul, the three of us were at his bedside when he became a member of the household of God at 9:50 p.m. He went peacefully and looked like a saint. Now that you are in heaven, Raymond Paul Cocuzzi, we ask of your prayers. You were a good priest, a holy man, and I will never forget you. Please always pray for us, St. Fr. Bruno Cocuzzi.
People at Marist Hill who wanted to say something nice about Fr. Bruno made the following statements to Irene.
“Father Bruno is a soft/gentle soul, and it was an honor and privilege to help care for him in his last days.” Michael Smart
“Father Bruno was one of the few gentlemen I met who didn’t let his sickness change his personality. I remember every day he greeted me with a smile even if he was in great pain. I did really learn so much from this example. Pray that he Lord may grant him peace everlasting.” Paul Limunge
“Father Bruno was a very exceptional priest and also a loving person.”
Eleanor Mazza
“He is very holy!” Tomi O’Connor
Margaret Magni said: He drew her to these speaking together and he talked very freely and was very cheerful. She talked about her son, one of 11, who is a priest, Fr. was very impressed on the amount of children Margaret had. She has 9 left. She came to see Fr. Bruno on his last day to say “Good Bye”. She loved him very much.
“Fr. Bruno, may angels let your soul be kept in peace. We love you so much and we miss you.” Santo’s housekeeper
“Father Bruno, I just happened to visit him just twice. He was a nice person to me. Let his soul rest in peace.” Shirley Yellanety, CPN
“As a residence neighbor he was nothing but the best, and so friendly.”
Bill Looby
Note: Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about Fr. Bruno. Please forgive me if I have the spelling of names wrong. It was difficult to read some of the handwriting.