Bernard M. Brutto

Bernard M. Brutto, 74, of Frackville, passed away peacefully Tuesday at home surrounded by his family.

He was a son of Regina Cieslukowski Brutto, Shenandoah, and the late Bernard A. Brutto.

He was a member of St. Joseph Church, Frackville, and a former member of Divine Mercy Parish, Shenandoah, and also a member of the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Shenandoah, where he served as a eucharistic minister and lector. He was very active with the Men's Society of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, where he served as secretary for many years, as well as lector for the church's annual feast days.

He was an Army veteran, serving his country during the Vietnam era.

A graduate of the Shenandoah Catholic High School, he then went to Bloomsburg University, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in education. He obtained a reading specialist degree from Marywood College and later continued his education at Lehigh University.

He taught for the Luzerne County Intermediate Unit, Parochial School of St. Mauritius, Ashland, North Schuylkill High School, and then Shenandoah Valley Elementary School until his retirement.

Bernie was an active member with the National Education Association (NEA) and the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), serving in various positions locally, countywide and statewide. He became president of the Shenandoah Valley Education Association, as well as president of the Schuylkill County Education Association. He also was the Eastern Regional Collective Bargaining Board chairperson of the state level of PSEA and a life member of the PSEA Retired Teachers Association.

Bernie was extremely active and interested in every aspect of his Italian heritage. He had done extensive research on his ancestry, visiting the area his ancestors lived in Italy. He traveled and visited every area of Italy and Sicily and even climbed Mount Etna.

He joined UNICO National more than 30 years ago and participated on the local, district and national levels, serving in many capacities as a Schuylkill County Chapter officer and president. He also served as PA-I District Governor, UNICO National Eastern Regional District Governor and National Expansion Director. He was also a trustee of the UNICO Foundation. He participated in many events with the Scranton Chapter of UNICO and La Festa. Bernie was a charter member of the Italian American One Voice Coalition (IAOVC) based in northern New Jersey.

He was also an avid golfer and a member of the former Fountain Springs Country Club.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife of almost 50 years, Tanya Nester Brutto, Frackville; a daughter, Lori Ann Smith and her husband, Robert, Haddon Township, N.J.; a son, Joseph Michael Brutto and his wife, Sharisse, Macungie; two granddaughters, Courtney Stankiewicz, New Jersey, and Giavanna Brutto, Macungie; a great-grandson, Liam Christopher Stankiewicz, New Jersey. His grandchildren were the loves of his life.

He is also survived by a brother, Thomas Brutto and his wife, Lisa, Bethlehem; aunts and uncles; a niece and a nephew; cousins.

Bernie will be interred with full military honors at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, where services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc., 40 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah, is entrusted with the arrangements.

Sign the guest book at

republicanherald.com