Bruno Dominic Antonio, 48, died April 24, 2024.  He was born on September 7, 1975,  in Wichita Falls, Texas. Bruno is predeceased by all grandparents and his dear uncles Ron Antonio, John Gruca and great Uncle Joe.   He is survived by his parents, Francis J. Antonio and Joyce A. Antonio (nee Gruca), brothers, Roman Antonio of Sacramento, California, Gabriel Antonio and sisters; Amanda Celeste Potts and Anastasia Rose Antonio, residing on the Peninsula.  He is survived by his children: Cody Waymire and grandson, Kaylon of Cleveland, Tennessee, Bruno Jr, Rocco, Alessandra, and Frank Antonio and his wife, Angela Rediker Antonio of Yorktown, VA. He also leaves behind his cherished relatives, Theresa and Gene Smallwood of New Castle DE.

Bruno attended Tabb Middle School and Tabb High School. Bruno worked as an arborist his entire adult life, owned and operated Antonio & Sons Tree and Landscape Service of Yorktown, VA. He enjoyed his work and often worked his craft for free just because people needed it done but did not have the money. In his profession, he was a skilled heavy equipment operator and routinely operated backhoes, graders, tractors, loaders and arborist bucket trucks. Bruno was an avid car enthusiast, was mechanically inclined and enjoyed restoring his 1966 Ford Fairlane GT.   He also enjoyed gardening, camping and especially rafting down the Shenandoah River every year with his family before the start of school.   He has his first ride on the river by Meramec Caverns near St. Louis.  He stopped there with family on cross country military moves.

Bruno came to Hampton in 1987 and has lived on the Peninsula since.  He loved playing music and was talented in being able to play pretty much any instrument by ear.  He loved and played the saxophone and he also loved cooking.  He didn’t meet a rib or crab he didn’t love!  Bruno was a good friend to many and  trusted and believed in the golden rule.  Sadly, Bruno was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008 and he fought a long battle against this disease.  Without the expert care of Dr. Benjamin Purow of UVA, he would not have survived as long as he did.

We, his family, are thankful to him and the staff at James River Convalescent Center for the care Bruno received.  He believed in the Jehovah’s promise of the resurrection as stated in the Bible and wanted a celebration of his life on his birthday.  We will post the location on his Facebook page in August.  We look forward to hearing good stories as he wanted people to remember him and have a good time.