Bruno Anthony Mancuso , died on Monday, Feb. 28, in his home in Tinton Falls, N.J., surrounded by family. He was born 95 years ago in Newark, N.J., on Aug. 22, 1915, to Pasquale Mancuso and Bettina Cacchione. Mr. Mancuso served as a radio operator in the United States Merchant Marine from November 1942 to May 1946. He served in both the European and Pacific Theatres, including during the Normandy Campaign. He sailed on the U.S.S. James I McKay and the U.S.S. William Kent. Mr. Mancuso was proud that his ship was in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed on the U.S.S. Missouri, ending the war. Mr. Mancuso studied at Central High School in Newark, N.J., and the American Institute of Banking at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He worked in banks all of his professional life, starting with the West Side Trust Company. Mr. Mancuso actively participated in his community. He served as president of Unico from 1959 to 1960 and a fundraiser for the United Negro College Fund from 1965 to 1985. He also served as the Lincoln District Chairman for the Boy Scouts of America from 1962 to 1964 and as a member of the Housing Authority of the City of Newark. He was the president of the Columbus Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Columbus Hospital in Newark, from 1964 to 1965. After growing up in Newark, Mr. Mancuso primarily lived in Totowa and Tinton Falls, N.J., and wintered in Palm Harbor, Fla. He loved to read, eat Italian dishes such as pasta all'amatriciana, and enjoy "la bella vita" � the beautiful life � on the golf course and with family. He loved his Italian heritage, especially stories about his famous great grandfather, Antonio Misiani (1819-1888), who was active in the campaign to unify Italy in 1848 and the mayor of Nicastro, Italy. He was always impeccably dressed and greeted loved ones with kisses on both cheeks. Mr. Mancuso was a devoted husband to Lillian (Centanni) Mancuso for 48 years. She passed away in 1997. He is survived by his daughter, Patricia (Mancuso) Vandenbergh, son, Matthew Mancuso and his wife, Kathleen (Kelly) Mancuso, and their children, Meredith, 15, and Matthew, 12. Funeral services will begin with a prayer at 9:15 AM on Friday, March 4, 2011 at Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 US Highway 202 South, Branchburg, NJ 08876 followed by a 10 AM Funeral Liturgy at St. Bernard R.C. Church, 500 Route 22 East, Bridgewater. Interment will be in St. Bernard Cemetery, Route 28, Bridgewater. Viewing hours will be Thursday, March 3, 2011 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM at the funeral home. To send a lasting tribute or condolences to the Mancuso family, please sign the online guestbook. Click "Sign Guestbook" below.