Thomaston-Bruno Charles DePecol, 87, who was prominent in business and civic activities in Thomaston for many years, died peacefully Monday, May 28, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. He and his wife Marion Innes DePecol were married more than 61 years, having married January 30, 1951. Bruno was born in Thomaston, CT on June 20, 1924, son of the late Augusto and Teresa (Franceschin) DePecol. He graduated from Thomaston High School in 1941 and also attended State Trade School in Torrington where he learned the carpentry trade. Bruno joined the Navy in October of 1942. Following boot camp, Bruno was trained to repair small landing crafts used in the Normandy Invasion. He was stationed at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, England and later assigned to the USS Southland, where he was promoted to Chief Carpenters Mate, one of the youngest enlisted servicemen to achieve that rank. Following his 1946 Honorable Discharge from the Navy, Bruno studied Architecture at Hillyer College. He began his career in 1949 working as a carpenter at Innes Brothers Inc., a Thomaston-based construction, fuel oil and sand & gravel business. He then became a foreman supervising numerous road, bridge and housing projects. Bruno advanced to general superintendent and became president in 1975. As a corporator of the Thomaston Savings Bank since 1970, Bruno served as a director and vice chairman of the Board for fifteen years and served on committees to advise the bank expanding its branches. During his retirement Bruno used his skills as a master woodworker to make cribs, sleds, rocking horses, jewelry boxes and other items for his beloved grandchildren. He enjoyed helping his family, friends and community with furniture making, repairs and other projects. His community service involved a wide range of organizations: active member of the Stag Club, 1946; the Clifford R. French American Legion Post 22, 1946; The Knights of Columbus, 1946; President of the Thomaston Rotary Club, 1975-1978; member of the Thomaston Board of Selectman 1975-1979; Chairman of the Thomaston Public Library Building Committee; Member of the building committees for Thomaston High School and the Thomaston Firehouse. He was a communicant of the St. Thomas Church. Bruno enjoyed recalling many memories of growing up in Thomaston during the Depression. Along with his brothers and friends he spent many days at Crystal Lake and the Bradstreet Woods, now called Shady Dell. He also belonged to his neighborhood Skunk Hill Rangers hockey team. A passionate golfer, Bruno was a member of Watertown Golf Club for 45 years. In the winter, he played at the Meadowood Golf and Tennis Club, Fort Pierce, Florida. At Meadowood, Bruno occasionally golfed with Sam Sneed who was one of the top golfers in the world for nearly four decades. He also played with former Masters winner Bob Goalby. Bruno as an avid golfer played on some of the worlds most famous courses including St. Andrews, Royal Dornoch and Carnouste in Scotland, but said the toughest course he ever played was Ballybunion in Ireland. Bruno also played many courses in the US including No. 2 at Pinehurst and Olympic in San Francisco. One of his great golf accomplishments was to shoot his age five times. Bruno is survived by his wife, Marion; a son, Mark DePecol his wife, Cynthia and their children, Jason and Cassandra DePecol of Washington, CT; two daughters, Nancy DePecol and her son Douglas "Steeley" Lamy of Torrington; and Christine Morel and her husband David and children Dayna and Jeffrey Morel of Wolcott. Brunos daughter Martha DePecol predeceased him. Bruno is also survived by his brother, Mario DePecol of Cheshire, and sister Emily Taillon and her husband Norman of Bristol, CT. His brother Benjamin DePecol predeceased him. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Arrangements: A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, June 1, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Thomas Church. Burial with full military honors will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 31, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Lyons Funeral Home 46 High St. Thomaston. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Thomas Church or Friends of the Thomaston Public Library.

Service Information Cemetery Hillside Cemetery North Main Street Terryville, CT -->