Bruno Rubio

Bruno Leonardo Rubio Guerrero was born on October 6th, 1937 in Viejo Rocafuerte, Ecuador (now Peru) to Rafael Alberto Rubio and Blanca Eufemia Guerrero Mosquera. He lost his father at the tender age of 3 months to the border dispute between Ecuador and Peru. When he was four years old, his family had to evacuate their home due to the Ecuadorian-Peruvian War of 1942. Bruno, his mother and baby sister had to flee by foot through the Amazon jungle and barely escaped the Peruvian soldiers that had attacked their hometown. Bruno and his family then migrated to their new home in Archidona, Ecuador. Unfortunately, the tough times were not over for him since he lost his mother at the age of 16 and then barely survived Dengue fever at the age of 19. To say that he was a survivor is an understatement.

 

His siblings were: Manuel Rubio, Sixtina Rubio, Angelica Rubio, Julia Rubio, Leonardo Rubio, Irma Rubio, Colombia Rubio, Piedad Gandara Guerrero, Nelva Gandara Guerrero, Antonio Uquillas Guerrero, Alicia Uquillas Guerrero, Miguel Angel Uquillas Guerrero and Carlos Uquillas Guerrero.

 

Bruno grew up to become a high school math, chemistry and physics professor at Colegio San Jose de Tena in Ecuador. He was well respected by his students as he helped them develop into outstanding young adults and instilled in them a love for math and science. He would later instill this same love of math, science and technology in his children, nephews and grandchildren.

 

During these years Bruno married his first wife Luzmila and had seven children. They are: Diego, Georgina, Iralda, Marianela, Liveya, Xavier and Zulema. He went on to live in Mexico in 1979 where he met Rocio Godinez and married a second time. Together they had a son, Aldo Rubio. In 1988 they immigrated into the United States along with Diego, Liveya, Xavier and Zulema and lived there ever since. In his final years he resided in Elmwood Park, New Jersey with his wife Rocio in a two family home they shared with their son Aldo, daughter-in-law Judy Rubio and grandson Leonardo “Chava” Rubio. Bruno was a warm, loving person and the patriarch of the family. He was one of the first Rubios to come to the United States and assisted many other family members in settling here as well; our family will be eternally grateful to him and his wife Rocio. He loved keeping in touch with all of his distant family members via Skype. His love of Rancheras and Pasillos as well as his passion for the policies of Ecuador’s President Correa will not be forgotten.

 

Bruno used to say, "The first one that loses his cool loses (El que primero se enoja pierde)”. That is the way he lived his life, with great calm and patience. After a long and arduous eight month battle with MDS, a type of blood cancer. Bruno passed away peacefully at Hackensack Hospital on a Tuesday afternoon, January 26th, 2016 surrounded by his wife Rocio, son Aldo, sister Colombia and other family members. Bruno is survived by his aforementioned wife and children, along with thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren. May he rest in peace, Amen.