Mentor, True Friend: Ex-Brick Athletic Director Bill Bruno Dies

BRICK, NJ — Bill Bruno, who served as athletic director in the Brick Township Schools for a dozen years until he retired to join the NJSIAA, has died, his wife Jeannette announced Saturday.

Bruno, 68, was known throughout the Shore Conference and state high school athletics circles for his kindness and warmth and his advocacy for student-athletes, and his impact over his 45-year career was apparent in the messages and stories shared on social media on Saturday.

"Our sincere and deepest condolences go out to @JeannetteBruno and Bill Bruno’s family and friends," Brick Township Schools Superintendent Thomas Farrell wrote. Farrell had been the football coach at New Egypt High School when Bruno was the athletic director in Brick.

"A great man who was kind and always took time to help others," Farrell said.

"BTPS is saddened by the passing of Bill Bruno," wrote Susan McNamara, the district's director of planning, research and evaluation. "A truly great man, he will live on through the many educators, coaches, and players he mentored and coached and the many lives he touched throughout his career."

Bruno worked for the Brick Township schools from 2003 to 2015, with two stints where he supervised athletics for both high schools and both middle schools. Bruno supervised athletics programs at Brick Memorial and Veterans Memorial Middle School from 2013 until he retired from the Brick Schools in 2015 to become an assistant director at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

When he retired to take the position at the NJSIAA, Richard Caldes, who was the interim superintendent, said Bruno was tireless.

"He was at every event for our kids. He was dedicated to them," Caldes said.

At the NJSIAA, Bruno supervised cross country, winter track and spring track, along with gymnastics and bowling. He had been suffering from health issues for some time and had announced his retirement from the athletic association on June 9, NJ.com reported.

“I know it’s the right decision. It is time for me to focus on my health, my recovery and my family," he said. "It has been my lifelong dream to work with the student athletes of New Jersey."

The NJSIAA released a statement Saturday morning, as the spring track and field Meet of Champions was getting underway, praising Bruno.

"Bill's commitment to interscholastic athletics as well as his support of his fellow athletic directors will be missed," the NJSIAA statement said. "The NJ cross country and track and field community has lost a true friend today — there is not a nicer man than any of us have encountered."

"Mr. Bruno was the first AD to give me a chance at coaching the game I love," wrote Mike Gawronski, coach of the Brick Township High School boys basketball team. "Without his backing, advice and support, I do not know if I would be where I am today. Prayers to the entire family and all who knew him. He will be greatly missed."

"Words can't express my respect and love for Bill," wrote Jennifer Joseph, who was an administrator at Brick Memorial High School while Bruno was athletic director. "He was a tremendous support to me and the team at BMHS, and continued to be a trusted friend. To say he will truly be missed is an understatement."

"Coach Bruno had a passion for life, for the outdoors, and for his many friends," wrote Dan O'Cone, assistant principal at Brick Memorial. "His energy was boundless. He was my mentor in so many ways. He will be deeply missed."

"Mr. Bruno always had a special magic to make everyone feel important and valued. What a beautiful man," wrote Barbara Stansbury, a teacher at Brick Memorial.

"Bill embodied everything right in the world of education," wrote Joshua Mehl, boys soccer coach at Freehold Township High School. "An inspiration and a leader in every capacity of life."

"Mr. Bruno was my US History teacher at CBA in 1983," Jeff Reilly, a guidance counselor and golf and basketball coach at Southern Regional, wrote on Twitter. "He was an amazing teacher! Thank you for inspiring me to choose education as my career. Thank you for being a mentor and friend."

In addition to his love of interscholastic sports, Bruno had a passion for Civil War history and participated in Civil War reenactments regularly for several years. While he participated in reenactments at Gettysburg, Bruno told the Asbury Park Press in a 2001 article that he preferred the smaller reenactments because the spectators were able to be closer to the action and there was more ad-libbing.

The Shore Conference issued a statement as well, noting Bruno was a track and field athlete at CBA, and went on to coach track and field and football at CBA, Manalapan, Asbury Park and Pinelands. He served as athletic director at Marlboro and Howell before moving to the Brick Township schools.

"Bill's passion for scholastic athletics was inspiring and the professionalism and devotion he displayed in each of his many roles at the conference and state levels is a lasting legacy that will continue to provide a positive impact on our community," said Will Sundermann, president of the Shore Conference. "We are truly sorry to hear of his passing and our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Bruno and his family on this Meet of Champions and Father's Day weekend."

Jeannette Bruno said her husband was "watching the MOC today from the best seat possible" when she announced his passing. "Bill Bruno was a great man who put passion & hard work into everything he did."

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