Bruce W. Reuning

Wellsville, NY - Bruce W. Reuning, age 89, of 97 East Pearl Street passed away on Friday, February 5, 2016 at the Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born in Wellsville on April 7, 1926 to Henry J. and Mildred Reuning II. On August 4, 1948 he married the love of his life Virginia “Ginnie” Serio who predeceased him on August 14, 2005.

Bruce was a lifelong resident of Wellsville who graduated from Wellsville High School in 1944. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII serving as a belly gunner on B 17 flying fortresses. Bruce started working for his family at the former Reuning’s Bakery. When the bakery closed Bruce went to work for a short period of time for Turbodyne and later owned and operated the Sears Catalog store on Main Street. Bruce was a 69 year member of the Wellsville Elks Lodge #1495 where he served as Exalted Ruler, long time secretary and faithful member of the Breakfast Crew. As an Elk Bruce went on to be District Deputy and New York State Vice President. Bruce, at the encouragement of his great friend Jim Cretekos, served a term as Village of Wellsville Trustee, a term as Allegany County Legislator and was an Election Commissioner for Allegany County. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, American Legion Post #702 and the L.O.P.E.s. Bruce will be missed by Gus Rigas and the Group at the morning meetings in the Texas Hot Restaurant and Tuesday Night dinner meetings with Art and Jim. Bruce and Ginnie enjoyed dancing and socializing with their many friends and especially golfing with Dar and Betty Barnes. Bruce was very proud of his German Heritage, the American flag and his Reuning baking tradition has been passed down to his son and grandchildren. Bruce was also proud that he and Jim Cretekos where able to venture to Europe on the Band of Brothers Tour. Bruce was never shy about sharing his opinion, the day before he passed he shared this with his son Tom “you have to make your spice cooks thinner and don’t bake them as long”.

Survivors include his son Thomas (Nancy) Reuning of Wellsville; 3 grandchildren Jennifer, Kevin and Katherine as well as several nieces and nephews.

Bruce was predeceased by his parents, his step mother Ethel, his mother and father in law, Joseph and Josephine Serio, his wife Ginnie, his son James, his brother Jack and his 2 sisters Roberta Rugaber and Mary Ellen Gould Perry.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, February 11, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. A Prayer Service will be held on Friday at 10:30 am in the Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am in the Immaculate Conception Church. Memorials may be made to the Jones Memorial Hospital or to the Elks Scholarships or to the David A. Howe Library. Burial with full military honors will take place in Sacred Heart Cemetery. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.