Bruno Rositano's Obituary
Bruno Rositano, age 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 14, 2025, under the care of New Life Hospice. He was born on May 13, 1931, in Lorain, Ohio, to John and Jennie (nee Marino) Rositano.
Bruno proudly served the City of Lorain as a firefighter for 33 years, including 18 years with the Lorain Fire Department Rescue Squad. During his time on the rescue squad, he delivered 13 babies—an accomplishment he spoke of with great pride. In addition to his firefighting career, Bruno worked part-time for 30 years with the Sears Service Department, first on Broadway in Lorain and later at the Elyria Service Center.
A dedicated public servant and community member, Bruno was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Lorain, the Italian American Veterans, and the former Sons of Italy Club. He honorably served his country in the United States Air Force.
Bruno was deeply involved in athletics and was a tireless supporter of local sports. He founded the Ohio Firefighters State Softball Tournament in 1978 and coached the Lorain Fire Department team to State Championships in 1984 and 1986, as well as a State runner-up finish in 1987, competing against much larger fire departments from Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati.
For 39 years, until his passing, Bruno faithfully hosted his weekly Thursday night poker games in the basement of his home. He was also a devoted Cleveland Browns season ticket holder for more than 40 years, missing only three games.
A lifetime member of the Admiral King and Lorain High School Booster Clubs, Bruno rarely missed a football or basketball game—home or away—while supporting those schools. When his sons, John and David, coached varsity basketball at Lorain High School, Admiral King High School, and Amherst, he attended every practice and often traveled with the team on the bus to away games. Players cherished his presence so much that they included him in cutting down the nets at district and regional championship games.
Bruno also attended every Amherst baseball game coached by his son David and grandson Matt, as well as all junior high, high school, college football, basketball, and track events involving his grandchildren. For more than 30 years, if you wanted to know where “Pa” was, you simply had to look in the bleachers. He often said that watching his family compete was what he lived for—and what kept him living well into his nineties.
Bruno is survived by his sons, David Rositano of Lorain and John (Valerie) Rositano of Amherst; his daughter, Diane Kish of Lorain; his grandchildren, Lynne (Keith Hiltabidel) Rositano, Matthew Rositano, Ryan (Jillian) Kish, Brandon (Karly) Kish, Halle Kish, Jenna (Mark) Coughlin, and Abby (Joe) Januzzi, who were truly the light of his life; his great-grandchildren, Cecilia Wilhelm, Penelope Kish, Riley and Casey Kish, Camden and Nora Coughlin, and Sophia Januzzi; and his sister, Joanne Conley.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan (nee Sullivan) Rositano; his daughter-in-law, Loretta Rositano; his parents, John and Jennie Rositano; and his sisters, Patsy Smaldino, Francis Morris, Rosie Rositano, Marie Podrosky, and Josephine Glorioso.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. Closing Prayers will be held at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, December 19th. in the funeral center followed by Mass of Christian Burial, at 9:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Peter, 3655 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, with Rev. Father Craig Hovanec, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Bruno’s memory to the Amherst Steele Home Run Boosters, 450 Washington Street, Amherst, OH 44001, or to the Lorain High Sports Booster Club, Attention: Athletic Department, 2600 Ashland Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dovinreberjones.com.
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