Bruno Dante Lombardi

Bruno Dante Lombardi was born on June 9th, 1925 to Paolo and Fiorina Lombardi in South San Francisco. He graduated from South City High School in 1943 where he was an all-league football player. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was a tail gunner in the 91st bomb group. He was stationed at Air Force 121 in Bassingbourn England, and was shot down on his 13th mission on November 2nd, 1944. He was a POW until 1945 where he was liberated from Nuremberg in April of 1945. Upon his return, he married his childhood friend Evelyn Donati, and together, they bought Puritan Bakery in Calistoga in 1946. They bought Petaluma French Bakery in 1951 and ran it until 1984 with his son and the help of his family. Able to enjoy many years of retirement, he and his wife Evelyn traveled and enjoyed the company of family and friends. He enjoyed gardening, was an avid hunter, and his love of cooking and baking often brought the whole family together. After the death of his wife in 2000, he met Marilyn Valmasoi and they married in 2004. Ten eventful and joyous years followed. Bruno is survived by his loving wife and companion Marilyn, his two daughters Janet Bastoni (Steven) and Claudia Bettinelli (late Harold), sister Eva Pucci, brother Jerry Lombardi, and is preceded in death by his two sons Donald Lombardi (Sandy) and Michael. He is also survived by his four step children: Lisa V. Smith, Norman Valmassoi (Victoria), Michael Valmassoi (Diane), Janice Valmassoi (Jim Bliska), 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Bruno also belonged to many clubs including Sons of Italy, ICF (Italian Catholic Federation), NSGW Ignacio Parlor, the Elks Lodge, Order of the Purple Heart, VFW, and SIRS. He was a tremendous man and role model that will be truly missed by all. Family and friends are invited to the Funeral Mass on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma, CA. Entombment to follow at Cypress Hill Memorial Park, Petaluma, CA. The family prefers memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma, CA., Face to Face or to a favorite charity. The family was served by Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory, Petaluma, CA.