Roy Bruner

Roy E. Bruner NORFOLK - Roy E. Bruner was called home to the Lord Oct. 2, 2008. He was 59. He is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Linda Bruner; his children and their spouses, Michael and Ilona Bruner, Cynthia Bruner-Porter, Steven and Beth Bruner and Patricia and Ivan Levin; his grandchildren, Erin Bruner, Adam Porter and Cruz Garcia; his sisters, Shirley Jenkins, Diana Dayne and Jacquelyn McCoy; in-laws, Joseph and Joyce Jankowski; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and extended relatives and friends. He started his Navy career onboard the USS New Jersey as a boatswain mate. He became a deep sea salvage diver and continued his love of all water activities even teaching his sons how to dive at an early age. He retired from the Navy after 21 years. After graduating from Norfolk State University, he began his second career as a health and physical education teacher at Lindenwood Elementary and Maury High School. He was a coach throughout his life and at Maury he was able to lead the boys swim team to several district titles. He retired from the Norfolk school system after 15 years. An active member of St. Mathews Catholic Church, he was very involved in the Knights of Columbus having been a Past Grand Knight and District Deputy. He had just recently been installed as the Faithful Navigator of Assembly No. 1162. Roy loved his family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, boating and woodworking and thought the Western Channel was the only TV channel of any importance. He was a kind and gentle soul, considerate, caring and a great role model. He will be greatly missed. A visitation will be held today from 5 to 9 p.m. with military honors and a Christian wake beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in St. Matthews Catholic Church with Father Joseph Facura officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Matthews Knights of Columbus KOVAR (Knights of Virginia Assisting Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities Retardation). Condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyer.com.