Bruno R. Bertelli, 98

YARMOUTH — Bruno R. Bertelli, 98, of Denmark, died Saturday, October 1, 2016. He didn’t quite reach his goal of making it to 100, but turning 98 last January, he came close.

Born into a family of Italian immigrants from Bologna, Italy, who settled in Somerville, Mass., he was the youngest of six children.

After graduating from Somerville High School, where he was active in theater, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. From there, he enlisted in the Army, serving in both the Philippines in World War II and the Korean War. He eventually retired at the rank of Colonel after 37 years in the National Guard.

Bruno met and married Norma, from Revere, Mass., after the war in 1947. They raised their three children, Donna Marie Tyrrell Ferragut (husband Ted), Paul Vincent (wife Jillian), and Susan Adele Carkeek (husband Kelly) in Tewksbury, Mass. They relocated to their dream home, a log cabin designed by Paul, in Denmark, Maine in 1974.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Lilia and his siblings, Natalie, Ada, Elsa, Cesar (“Bibby”), and Guido (“Bill”), and his devoted wife, Norma Louise Phillips.

He is survived by his three children; and also by many loving nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bruno loved his cozy cabin on Moose Pond, and was able to live out his days there with the tender loving care of an amazing team of caregivers. The family wishes to thank Rick, Eileen, Lynzee, Sandy, Renata, Leslie, Sally and Rich for making that possible. Mostly, a huge debt of gratitude is owed to Marilyn, the leader of the gang. They made it possible for him to spend his days doing what he enjoyed — singing, doing crossword puzzles, reading, and singing some more. He also found joy at the Saturday evening mass at St. Joseph Church and in monthly luncheons with the senior citizens. Sincere appreciation is also due to the caring staff at Androscoggin and Beacon Hospice and to those at Coastal Manor in Yarmouth for making his final days filled with love and tenderness.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Joseph Church in Bridgton, on Oct. 15, at 9 a.m. A military burial will follow at 1 p.m. on Oct. 17, 2016, at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Mass. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton, Maine. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com