Eight Bells: Michael S. Bruno, Jr

Mike Bruno

American Yacht Club Commodore Mike Bruno, 63, passed away suddenly early on the morning of August 13 at home in Armonk, NY.

Mike was a very lucky man and knew it. He had a beautiful and strong wife (Meg) and three wonderful kids (Mike, Jr, Russell and Price) he adored, and they him and more friends and admirers than one could ever imagine.

He had a successful business career. After receiving his MBA from Columbia Business School in 1981, he joined Solomon Brothers where he rose to become Vice President of the Mergers and Acquisitions Group within the Finance Department. He joined Stonebridge Partners in 1987, becoming the Managing Partner in 1989.

He was an accomplished sailor on the race course, sailing a series of J Boats—the latest being the J/88 Wings. Ironically 2019 may have been his most successful year—winning his class at both Charleston Race Week and Storm Trysail Block Island Week.

In addition to this year, he was a two-time winner of the J/122 North Americans, New York YC Race Week winner, and 2016 Key West Race Week. Along with American Yacht Club, he was a member of New York Yacht Club and Storm Trysail Club.

Most of all he was, perhaps, the most generous person I have ever known. Need a house in Florida to use an auction item to raise money for the US Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams? You got it. A spectator boat for viewing? Of course. Rooms for wounded vets to attend a regatta? Done. And the list goes on.

As Commodore of American, he played host to the US Sailing Disabled Championships in 2008. When approached about hosting a disabled regatta in the future, not surprisingly Mike quickly made it happen. Thus was born the Robie Pierce One Design Disabled Regatta, where Mike even served on the Race Committee.

Most recently he served on the Board of and twice chaired the annual fundraiser for Freedom Waters Foundation in Naples, FL, which enhances lives of individuals with special needs and veterans by providing therapeutic boating experiences.

A memorial service will be held at American YC in Rye at 1400 hours, Friday, August 16. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mike’s name to Pediatric Cancer Research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Attn: Rachel Flannery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Office of Development, P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087 or online at http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/michaelsbrunojr.

I will miss Mikey terribly as will many others. You were a very special man, Mike Bruno. Sail fast. – William Sandberg