Obituary of Bruno Lecci

With great sadness, we announce the loss of Bruno Lecci, who passed away on Saturday December 16, 2023. Bruno lived a full life and a week earlier had marked his 95^th birthday. His wife of 69+ years, Grazia Lecci, had passed away on August 5^th, 2023; and he was missing her very much every day.

Bruno was born in Pisa, Italy, which is in the Tuscany Region. 

He lived through WW2 as a young teenager with his parents, and older brother and sister.

He met Grazia when they were in their early twenties at a chaperoned dance.  And after that dance, fate was sealed, and they married in July of 1954.

Bruno was employed with the Merchant Marines in Italy, and this opened the door to a job opportunity in Montreal, Canada. One month after marrying, they departed with one suitcase, on a 22-day journey at sea. Upon arrival they learned that Bruno’s employer had just passed away the day before. Disheartened, Bruno was ready to return to Italy, but at Grazia’s urging they decided to stay.  After a few months they made their way to Ottawa; where they both found employment, and so settled here.

Bruno eventually began his primary career in the Federal Government as a member of Interparliamentary Relations at the House of Commons. Bruno very much enjoyed this work and he was good at it, as it involved a lot of his core strengths. This included diplomatic relations, organizing entire visits when delegations from other countries would come to Ottawa from the level of security to the planning of events and meetings during their stay, to the preparation of every menu, and keeping everyone on time and in the right place. He also organized delegations travelling from Ottawa to other countries; and this gave him (and Grazia) the opportunity to visit most parts of the world.

Bruno retired early from the House of Commons due to heart issues, but in his retirement he and Grazia continued to enjoy travel to Florida, Spain, Italy, and eventually yearly trips North Carolina to visit their grandchildren; where they were known by Bella and Luke and all of their friends as “Nonno and Nonna.”

Despite his heart issues, Bruno lived a long life, in large part due to a complete lifestyle change around age 40.  He gave up smoking, lost weight, began eating a low sodium and little to no sweets diet, plus started walking every day.  Bruno’s dedication and discipline in following these lifestyle changes even enabled him to avoid bypass heart surgery.

Bruno was always one to have a democratic spirit about things.  :)   As an example, one year he asked Grazia and their two children to vote on whether to take a trip to Italy, or to purchase a pool. The vote was 3-1 (Bruno being the 1) in favor of the pool, so he said; “ok, we’re all going to Italy.” Fortunately, the trip to Italy to visit family resulted in wonderful memories. So, in the end, although dad may have been in the minority, he was right. 

Bruno is survived by his daughter Deborah, son Len (wife-Kelly), grandchildren Bella and Luke, and many wonderful extended family and friends. Please join us for a celebration of Bruno’s life on Saturday December 30th at 10:30am in the Chapel at Pinecrest Cemetery. (Service at 11:00)

We know that Bruno would not have wanted any flowers or gifts.  He always said that if everyone would bring even one item to the food bank, we would all be in a better world.

So, if people wish, they can donate to their local food bank (grocery store bin) in his memory.