Bruce L. Tarquino

Bruce Leo Tarquino of Orchard Park, NY passed away peacefully on September 2, 2022, with his daughters at his side.

Bruce was born to Asia and Cleveland John Tarquin in Lackawanna, New York on November 20, 1924.  He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed life to its fullest.  Bruce graduated from Lackawanna High School in 1942 and entered the United States Army.  A WWII veteran, he was stationed in the South Pacific and served as military police on Guadalcanal until the end of the war.  In 1946 he entered Alfred University and was the starting running back for the Saxons football team.  He graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Ceramic Engineering.  He is also a graduate of State University of New York at Buffalo’s Executive Management program.  Bruce enjoyed a 40-year career with the Ferro Corporation and retired in 1993 as plant manager of the refractories and abrasives manufacturing division in Blasdell, NY.  After retirement, Bruce volunteered extensively within the engineering profession, through the Global Volunteers organization, and as a ski “ranger”.

Bruce married Irene Alonzo Schubert in 1960 and raised 2 daughters, Beth Tarquino Mitchell (Jack) and Cynthia Tarquino McDonald (Leo) in Orchard Park.  He enjoyed the outdoors and was a fixture at Kissing Bridge Ski Resort until he hung up his skis at the age of 90.  Bruce also enjoyed music and was a 25+ year member of the Friends of Harmony Barbershop Chorus and a founding member of the Snow Belters quartet.  He loved to “stop by” Amvets and the American Legion Post in Lackawanna on Friday evenings and could easily be coaxed to sing with his quartet.   He was proud of his Italian heritage, his Lackawanna roots, and his faith-based upbringing at Our Lady of Victory Basilica.  He had wit and a gentle sarcasm that put people at ease.  However, most notable was his “way” with old friends and new acquaintances; he regarded the best in people and he always made an effort to make people feel cared about and special.

Bruce will be deeply missed.  In addition to his wife, daughters, and sons-in-law, Bruce is survived by his grandchildren Zachary and Madeline Mitchell, many nieces, nephews, and close friends, included the nurses and aides who brought so much joy to his life the over the past 4 years.  He is preceded in death by siblings Luke (Henrietta) Tarquin, Marie (Harold) Bickel, John (Lucia) Tarquin, Gloria Phillips, James (Helen) Tarquin, Grace Kerpoe, Albert (Theresa) Tarquino, and Jerome Tarquin.

Visitation Friday, September 16th from 3-6 p.m. at NORMAN E. GANNON & SONS, Inc. FUNERAL HOME, 1075 Ridge Rd.; Lackawanna (716-824-4000).  Friends are invited to join the family for The Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica on Saturday, September 17th at 10:30 a.m.  Cremation to follow with Private Interment at Lakeside Memorial Park Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.