Donald Emile Bruzzone

Donald Emile Bruzzone May 27, 1929 - March 31, 2011 Resident of Alameda Donald E. Bruzzone, life long resident of Alameda died Thursday March 31, 2011 of heart failure. Don was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years Bonnie Bolsten Bruzzone. His is survived by his two daughters Evelyn Shellenberg (Paul) and Katie Clift (Tom) and two granddaughters, Heather Shellenberg and Meghan Shellenberg. Don was born in Oakland and raised in Alameda attending Washington School and Alameda High School where he was Class President. He attended UC Berkeley earning a Degree in Business and then a Masters in Marketing. Upon graduation he married his High School sweetheart, Bonnie and was drafted into the Army where he was sent to Fort Monmouth New Jersey creating recruiting films before being sent to Panama and assigned to Special Services Armed Forces as a radio disk jockey. Don returned to Alameda to start his carreer in marketing research first at Safeway, then Chevron and then VP at a number of Advertising Agencies in San Francisco. In 1976 Don started his own research firm in Alameda, BRC, from which he retired at age 80 after 35 years. Don was always active in the community. He was President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Alameda Library Board. He also served on the finance committee for 30 plus years at St. Joseph Basilica. Currently he was working with his classmates on their upcoming 65th High School Reunion. Don loved to spend his free time skiing with family and friends with trips to Tahoe, Colorado, Oregon, Wyoming, Canada and later a number of ski trips to Europe. Memorial contributions are suggested in lieu of flowers to the Alameda Free Library or a charity of your choice. Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Mass on Monday April 11, 2011 at 10:00am at St. Joseph Basilica, 1109 Chestnut Street. Greer Family Mortuary (510) 865-3755 FD-1408