Bruno Clarence Giovanini

Bruno Clarence Giovanini, 87, of Bloomfield, our beloved father, grandfather and friend, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009. He was born April 27, 1922, in Bloomfield, in the family farm house. Bruno began working for Southern Union Gas Company as a part time laborer during the summer months of 1939 and 1940. After completing high school, Bruno was hired full time in 1941 to work for Southern Union Gas Company and retired 48 years later as a field manager from the Gas Company of New Mexico. Bruno always gave unselfishly of himself to his family and friends and had a love of life and living it to the fullest. Bruno was very actively involved in his community where he served as a Bloomfield School Board member and past president for 18 years. One of Bruno's many philosophies in life was that education was the key to a better life, and being a member of the Board of Education was one way to get his message out. His involvement with the Elks Lodge was another way of giving back to his community and as a member and officer for the Elks lodge he was nominated Elk of the Centennial year in 1976 for his community service, which included building the Elks Recreation area located near Navajo Dam. Bruno also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Child Haven in Farmington. He cared about the betterment and future of all children, and felt like this was a way to be a positive role model for not only his generation, but generations to come. Bruno was a member and past president of the Lions Club, a member of the San Juan Shrine Club, an instructor at New Mexico State University and a lifelong member and past president for the Four Corners and Miners and Prospectors Association. All his life Bruno enjoyed working the family farm and had a great love for hunting, fishing, mining and snow mobiling. One of his greatest passions that he learned from his father, Dominick, was his wine-making ability, which he was always more than generous when it came to sharing with others. Bruno was preceded in death by his wife, Vonnie; son, Bruno "Bambi" Giovanini Jr.; his father, Dominick Giovannini; mother, Rosina Giovannini Dallabetta; two grandsons, Brian Giovanini and Dominick Gates. He is survived by a son, Norman Giovanini; two daughters, Karen and Sue Giovanini; two grandsons, Tony Giovanini and Chad Gates; four granddaughters, Bridget Foote, Adrienne Carruth, Celeste Lujan and Gina Baier; and nine great-grandchildren. Bruno lived a life of great adventure and enthusiasm with his dear friends and family. Bruno was an inspiration to all of us. He was a "One of a kind Man" who will live forever in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Bruno and his grandson, Dominick Gates, can be made to the American heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75284, or by calling 1-800-242-8721 or at www.americanheart.org Funeral arrangements are with Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, (505) 325-8688.