Obituary of Bruno Crea

Bruno Crea

28 November 1947 - 15 September 2025

On September 15th, Bruno passed away at 77 years old peacefully at his home in Garden City, New York, surrounded by his family, exactly the way he had hoped to. A devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend, Bruno embodied kindness, resilience, generosity, and a service-oriented nature toward all those he loved and encountered in his life. His greatest joy in life was being a father and grandfather and providing for his family in every possible way.

Bruno was born and raised in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn, the son of Rocco and Mildred (Graziano). Born in 1947 the oldest of three, he welcomed his loving siblings Rocco Jr. and Emilie in 1952 and 1960, respectively. Bruno's academic achievements at Our Lady of Grace elementary school won him a scholarship to attend Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Greene where he graduated in 1965. Bruno went on to acquire his bachelor's degree from the City College of New York, Baruch School of Business. He immediately entered and excelled in the field of advertising. Most notably he joined Needham, Harper, and Steers in the early 1970s and then BBDO Worldwide in 1977. By 1978, Bruno had earned the title of Vice President of Media and in 1984 was named a Senior Vice President of BBDO, earning several awards including the Founders Award for his excellence in media planning in dealing with high profile accounts to include Pepsi-Co, Gillete, Polaroid, and Visa. Bruno's dedication and hard work led to his naming as an Executive VP and Director of Media Planning Services and election to the BBDO Board of Directors, having had a direct impact on the company's success. 

Bruno's most significant talent, beyond media, was his approachability, mentorship, and good hearted, genuine nature in dealing with co-workers and clients, who revered him and became close friends of his throughout his career and into retirement. In 2002, Bruno retired at the highest level and with the love and respect of those in his field. Due to his love of horse racing, which he shared with his father Rocco, Bruno went on to enjoy a retirement gig as a cashier at the Race Palace, an off-track betting establishment on Long Island, where he kept his mind sharp and had lots of laughs with co-workers and friends.

When asked what was the best thing that came out of his job at BBDO, he said meeting his wife Irene (McLaughlin), who he married in 1980. They were married for nearly 45 years upon his passing and had created a beautiful life together, having welcomed two children in 1982 and 1986, who he loved dearly. There is nothing he would not do for his children and he worked incredibly hard to provide them with more than what he had in his childhood to ensure their happiness and success. Bruno is survived by his loving and devoted wife Irene, son Patrick, daughter Caroline, and son-in-law Michael Conlon. He is also survived by his only grandchild, Joseph Bruno (4 years old), his pride and joy, who he referred to as his little angel boy and who Joseph affectionately called "Buppa".  His family was his whole heart. We believe and pray he left this world knowing the immense love, respect, gratitude, and adoration we had for him. 

May he rest in his eternal reward with Jesus, free of suffering and at peace, as he deserves.