Father Robert D. Bruso, 70

Father Robert D. Bruso died Tuesday, July 7 , in the rectory of St. Cecilia Parish in Leominster, where he was pastor.  
He was “a priest that was dedicated to his work, dedicated to his priesthood – fully dedicated,” said Father Walter J. Riley, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Worcester. “You could see how much he loved the priesthood.” He exuded joy.  
Father Riley, who is to preach at the funeral Saturday, said Father Bruso was probably one of the best preachers he has heard at funerals, and that he brought comfort to families. He said they worked together at funerals at what is now St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fitchburg, when he was one of the seminarians Father Bruso mentored there. That’s where they met and became friends, he said. 
“I admire his intelligence,” Father Riley said. “He understood the faith. Social justice was important to him.” 
“He’s probably very happy now that he can do more in heaven!” exclaimed Christopher Aubrey in a Facebook posting Tuesday. He loved being a priest with all he had!” 
Also posting on Facebook was Father Jonathan J. Slavinskas, pastor of Our Lady of Providence Parish at St. Bernard Church in Worcester. He said he went to St. Cecelia’s last week to say goodbye to Father Bruso, “a good friend and mentor,” the first pastor he was assigned to as a seminarian. He asked Father Bruso, who had a special interest in saints, which saint he was most looking forward to seeing, and Father Bruso said, “My mom.” 
Father Bruso was born in Worcester on May 17, 1950, the son of Robert W. and Dorothy J. (Driscoll) Bruso. 
He graduated in 1968 from Sacred Heart Academy in Worcester, and earned his bachelor’s degree in history in 1972 from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. 
He studied for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall College in South Orange, N. J.  Prior to that he had worked in the petroleum industry in Massachusetts and Maine, and for the City of Worcester Water Department. 
He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Harrington on June 5, 1993 in St. Paul Cathedral. He served as associate pastor at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Clinton and St. Mary Parish in Uxbridge before being named pastor of St. Anthony di Padua Parish in Fitchburg on Aug. 18, 2000. He was assigned pastor of what became St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fitchburg on July 1, 2010. 
Father Bruso was appointed pastor of St. Cecelia Parish effective July 1, 2014. 
His wake is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 10, at St. Cecilia’s Church, 180 Mechanic St., Leominster, with a wake service at 7 p.m. Father Anthony Mpagi, dean of the deanery and pastor of St. Boniface Parish in Lunenburg is scheduled to preside, and Father Nicholas Desimone, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Uxbridge, is to preach.  
Father Bruso’s funeral Mass is at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Cecilia’s. Bishop McManus is to preside and Father Riley is to preach. Burial will follow at St. Cecilia's Cemetery. 
 Due to the restrictions in this time of pandemic, seating in the church will be limited. 
Also, the number of seats available for concelebrants at the funeral Mass is limited. Any priests wishing to concelebrate should email Father Alfredo Porras at alfredoraulporras@gmail.com . The seats will be allo t ted on a first come , first served basis . 
The Funeral Mass will be streamed live for those who cannot attend in person and will be available for viewing later. A link will be available on the diocesan website, worcesterdiocese.org .