Bruno Thomas Tassinari, 95, of Grafton, Mass., formerly of Jefferson and Natick, Mass., died in UMASS Memorial Hospital Jan. 30 after a long illness. He was born Aug. 29, 1915 in Milford, Mass. to Domenico and Domenica (Pozzoli) Tassinari. Bruno was the oldest son of eight children.
In 1942 Bruno married the love of his life, Elizabeth Dorothy Grace Jones. A year later he headed off to fight in WWII with the Fifth Armored Division. He was proud to have served courageously under General George Patton throughout the European Theater, including the Battle of the Bulge for which he was awarded the Bronze Star. The satisfaction and success Bruno achieved as an Army cook were apparent by the overwhelming appreciation he received from officers and enlisted men alike.
After the war he joined the VA, working initially at the Cushing Veterans Hospital in Framingham, Mass. and then at the West Roxbury VA Hospital. During his long and distinguished VA career he was a pioneer in the emerging science of orthotics. He was passionate, resourceful, and loved watching disabled veterans use their limbs again because of his ideas. His invention of a “mechanical hand” enabled many quadriplegics to achieve a degree of independence and dignity. He worked for the VA until his retirement in 1972.
Bruno was also dedicated to the VFW, serving as Commander of Post 1274 in Natick and as a District Commander. He served the residents of Natick as an auxiliary police officer and as a town meeting member. In his spare time, he thoroughly enjoyed gardening, fishing, and dancing with his bride. He was fiercely loyal and, as rich a life as he led, he firmly believed his wealth was in his family.
In addition to his loving wife Dorothy, he is survived by brothers, Genno of Wayland, Mass. and John of Clearwater, Fla.; sons, Thomas Tassinari and wife Corinne of Grafton, Mass. and Richard Tassinari and wife Pamela of Jefferson; daughter, Diane Mulkern and husband Thomas of Magnolia, Mass.; grandchildren, Jessika Baker and husband David of Jefferson, Shaina Kalama and husband David of Maui, Hawaii, Aimee Mulkern of Boston, Mass., Alicia Tassinari of Augusta, Laura Tassinari of Wilmington, N.C., Kristine Tracy of Wiscasset, Nicholas Tassinari and Anthony Tassinari, both of Augusta, Kevin Tassinari of Washington, D.C. and Karen Tassinari of Charleston, S.C.; five great-grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.
Private funeral services will be held Tues., Feb. 8 at the Roney Funeral Home in Grafton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, MA Chapter, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472.
