Bruno Elari

Bruno John Larry Elari

February 24, 1938 – January 1, 2024

Bruno John Larry Elari was born on February 24, 1938, in the home his father built in Broomfield, CO. The fifth of seven siblings, he grew up surrounded by family, the cornerstone of his upbringing. He had a mischievous streak, defying household rules on occasion when no one was watching. He was once assigned the chore of cleaning the large kitchen floor along with several sisters; his means of drying the floor involved sliding the length of the kitchen in his socks, which he was clearly not supposed to do. He also worked on the family farm alongside his family, raised his horse, Lucky, and loved his dog, Rusty.

Bruno attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse, walking “several miles uphill in both directions” each day, as he told the story. In 1956, he graduated from Arvada High School where he was an active member of the Future Farmers of America; he was proud of the letter jacket he earned for his club achievements. After high school, he followed in his father’s footsteps, apprenticing as a stone mason and learning terrazzo work. He applied his terrazzo skills during the building of The Air Force Academy Chapel, a place of worship still standing today. In 1958, Bruno joined the United States Army, serving in Ulm Germany until he was honorably discharged in 1961 after three years of service to his Country.

After military service, he joined the Local Loan branch in Wheat Ridge, CO where he was employed as a loan officer. On June 11, 1962, he was transferred to the branch in downtown Denver for two weeks to cover for a manager taking a two-week vacation. It was there on this day he met the woman who would later become his wife. Serendipitously, that same day happened to be Pamela Starling’s first day of employment at Local Loan as well as her birthday. Always a gentleman, Bruno offered her a ride home that first day so she could avoid the rain. She declined. On the second day, he again offered her a ride home as it was still raining. She accepted despite his warning he had been moving hay in his car. When they reached the car, there was no hay. In fact, he drove a 1961 candy apple red Chevrolet Impala Super Sport with a white top, a car he was very proud to own. Bruno proposed to Pamela three months later. They were married on April 20, 1963. He never missed giving her a kiss as he left for work each day nor did he miss bringing her a dozen green carnations every St. Patrick’s Day even though neither of them was Irish. They had been married for 60 years and loved one another dearly.

After spending decades in the banking industry, Bruno became a realtor in Boulder, CO. He was quite successful selling homes. That success came in the form of helping young couples purchase their first home, offering them steep commission discounts, purchasing needed appliances, and even starting savings accounts for their children. Bruno gave back to the community in other ways, as well. He was an original volunteer coordinator for the Bolder Boulder, regularly volunteered at CU basketball games, and served as President of the Louisville Chamber of Commerce for two years and as a Board Member for eight years. The Chamber presented him with the Lawrence Enrietto Volunteer Award in 2012 and the Eugene Caranci Gratitude Award in 2020.

Bruno adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, lighting up every time he saw them and never missing a chance to make them giggle. He dearly loved his dogs, Cookie, Bianca 1, Bianca 2, and Rocco, who were the recipients of frequent treats, including nightly ice cream. He loved golfing as often as possible, travel – especially to Italy where he had found family, speaking in Italian, adding vowels to words in English, gardening and growing roses, dancing – especially the polka, having coffee and donuts most mornings at the Chamber, woodworking – creating gifts for his family to cherish, and retelling jokes. He had a quick wit, a twinkle in his eye, and never met anyone who was not a friend.

Bruno was preceded in death by his parents, Domenico and Antoinette Elari; Brothers, Louie and Domenic; Sisters, Nettie, Mary, and Florence; and Granddaughter Ashley Moore. He is survived by his wife, Pamela; Daughters, Laura (Michael) Moore and Sheryl (Ray) Batchelor; Granddaughters, Elise (Chase) Hern, Lily (Matt) De Lade, Grace (Wyatt) Witt, Grandson Samuel Batchelor; Great Grandchildren, Caden, Marlys, and Ashlynn Hern, and Henry De Lade; and his sister, Chelestine.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bruno's name to the National Kidney Foundation or the charity of your choice.