Bruno Joseph Masdea

Masdea Bruno Joseph Masdea, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2016, New Year's Eve, surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 20, 1928, in Lynch, KY to Joseph and Yolanda (Gentile) Masdea. After graduating from Aquinas College High School in 1947, he attended OSU. He enlisted in the USAF in 1950 and served as a Mechanical Flight Engeneer on C-47s during the Korean War. After leaving the Air Force, he joined his father-in-law, Joe Giantonio, at Seymour Bakery as a wedding cake designer. In 1980, he joined the baking giant, Dawn Food Products, and taught cake decorating to students of the baking arts across the country. In 1992, he received the American Chef Institute Medal for his technical and creative skills as a Master Baker. Bruno loved to play the trumpet. In 1971, he and Dale Groves started the Fabulous Forties Dance Band, which eventually became the Bruno Masdea Big Dance Band. Bruno was instrumental in saving the Valley Dale Ballroom from the wrecking ball in 1980. His band ushered in a revival of the big band sound that entertained dancers for over twenty years. Ultimately, he was inducted into the Columbus Senior Musicians Hall of Fame. Bruno was an avid golfer, and a founding member of American Italian Golf Association, Riviera Country Club, and the Guild Athletic Club. Bruno was a devout Catholic and a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church, for over 25 years. Bruno is preceded in death by his parents, sisters and brothers-in-law Vera (George) Watts and Isabella (Major Don Gentile WWII air ace and second husband Lt. Col. Jesse Beitman), and granddaughter Amanda Mia Masdea Baker. Bruno is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Louise, of 65 years; children, Landa (Rick) Brunetto and Margi (Jeff) Baker; granddaughter, Chiara Maria Masdea Baker; nieces and nephews, Isabella Fuell and family, Don and Cay Gentile and family, Joe and Sandy Gentile and family, Pat and Jacque Gentile and family; and many cousins from the Masdea, Gentile, Cipriano, Gallucci and Lusignolo families. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 6, 2017, from 4-8 p.m., at the JOHN QUINT TREBONI FUNERAL HOME, 1177 West Fifth Avenue. Family and friends are asked to gather for his funeral Mass at 10 a.m., on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church, 720 Hamlet Street (at Lincoln), Italian Village. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Lockbourne. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Amanda Mia Masdea Baker Endowment Fund at Nationwide Children's Hospital, St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church Building Fund, St. Timothy Catholic Church or St. Gabriel Catholic Radio. Condolences may be sent via www.johnquint.com.