Loving, generous, kind and full of life.
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That is how family remembered the late Bruno Chocolate Marando after his sudden and shocking passing in a car accident last week.
He was passionate about his family, friends, food, fishing, and held a fascination for life.
He was the father of nine-year-old twins Rosa and Assunta, and seven-year-old Rocco husband of Lisa, youngest brother of Frances, Danny, Frank and Sam and much-loved by all extended family members.
His children were the true light of his life, and there was no lengths he wouldnt go to turning each trip interstate to visit doctors into an unforgettable adventure.
Every day, every return home, he would call out wheres my beautiful children, and always gave them and everyone else the benefit of a Bruno hug.
When asked what they would miss most about him, Assunta said she loved the drives they used to take together just the two of them, Rosa will miss her dad picking her up and spinning her around, and Rocco loved wrestling with his dad and when he would tickle him.
Birthdays were a big deal in Brunos house, and every occasion would entail surprises, trickery and playful fun.
I remember one time when he got the trampoline for the girls, and we came around to set it up, Brunos brother Frank said.
He told the kids there was a snake outside so they wouldnt come and discover the surprise.
Meeting through mutual friends, Bruno won Lisa over with his fun and kind-hearted nature, and the couple would go on to be described as a match made in heaven.
And not just immediate family nephews Danny Marando and Ross Virgara said he always enjoyed spending time with them.
His nieces and nephews would refer to him as the cool uncle.
His dedication to the community knew no bounds, and Lisa says there would always be another object in the house from a charity auction.
Sometimes we would go without because he said other people needed help more than us, Lisa said.
Fishing was a fine fancy for Bruno, but it was more than catching the elusive Cod, it was about sharing time with family.
He would never take no for an answer, Brunos cousin, Frankie Sergi said.
We are all scattered everywhere, but he all made us make an effort. He had that special way of keeping the family connected.
A hardworking man, Bruno spent his working life on various wineries around Griffith.
He loved the land, he had a real passion for it, Lisa said.
He would always be watching documentaries, and watching Landline was a part of his routine.
He would say, Lisa, come here and see how they do this! There was never an end to what he enjoyed learning about.
Another passion for him was all and any kind of food, and his family say his way of describing food was a magical experience.
Frances, his sister, would take him to the Yoogali Shop to eat chocolates and lollies, and it is alleged here is where his love of sweets started.
His funeral on Tuesday May 8 at Griffith Sacred Heart Church was attended from those far and wide, with well over 1000 in attendance.
Read by niece Assunta Marando, his eulogy succinctly concluded in the following way:
We are all going to miss him and our world will never be the same without him.
We know he will be always watching over his adored wife Lisa and his three beautiful kids Assunta, Rosa and Rocco.
Kids, your dad loves you so so much and he would be so proud of you.