Herman Brune

Herman Charles Brune, age 94, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2019 at St. Joseph Hospice, Gulfport, MS.
Herman was born on May 16, 1924 in New York City, NY, son of Herman Charles Brune, Sr. and Lillian Grantz Brune. Herman Charles Brune, Sr. was born in Germany, emigrated to the United States and owned Brune's Ice Cream, Candy and Soda Store in Manhattan, NY. His wife, Lillian, was born in New York City, NY.
Herman was born, raised and attended school in New York City. While in NYC high school, Herman was a star basketball player and was often mentioned in the local newspaper. After graduating high school in NYC, Herman was initially employed by The Pennsylvania Railroad in NYC, NY which later merged in 1970 with The Central Railroad, becoming known as The Penn Central Railroad.
His career at The Pennsylvania Railroad was interrupted at age 19 when he enlisted in the US Army during WWII, serving his tour of duty in Europe and attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. In serving his country, he was following the example set by his father, Herman Charles Brune, Sr., who had fought with the USA during WWI against Germany.
After WWII, he was reinstated with The Pennsylvania RR. He worked as a Statistician/Budget Analyst. While employed there, he met a fellow PA RR employee, Marianne Colavito, who was employed as a bookkeeper. They
married in June, 1948 and established their home in Massapequa Park, Long Island, NY.
While living in Massapequa Park, Herman was active in the Knights of Columbus, was part of their bowling league and was a skilled bowler. He enjoyed gardening and grew gorgeous roses, along with other plantings. He maintained his enthusiasm for sports and was on a local men's basketball team. In addition, he shared an appreciation for all types of music, especially big bands such as the Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey and Glenn Miller & His Orchestra. Additionally, he appreciated jazz music, listening to the Cousin Brucie radio personality on radio WABC-NY, the Motown sound, The Beatles, Jefferson Starship, Herman's Hermits, Fifth Dimension, Captain and Tennille, Meatloaf, Looking Glass, Sonny & Cher, Petula Clark, and Olivia Newton-John, to name a few.
He enjoyed going to the various beaches while living in Flushing, NY and Long Island as well as during the summers going out to Lake Ronkonkoma, Ronkonkoma, Long Island, NY and to Point Lookout Beach, Point Lookout, Long Island, NY for family picnics.
In 1965, Herman was transferred to the Philadelphia, PA RR offices. Herman, Marianne and their 3 young children then moved to Wilmington, Delaware. After the PA RR and Central RR merger in 1970, Herman left the Penn Central RR and accepted a position as Budget Analyst with the Long Island Railroad in Jamaica, Queens, NY until his retirement in April, 1976. His railroad employment spanned 34 years.
Herman and Marianne were the proud parents of their three children: Mary Catherine Brune, Philip Charles Brune and Richard Joseph Brune. Sadly, on August 12, 1976, Marianne preceded Herman in death due to complications of Leukemia.
Herman is the beloved father and is survived by he and Marianne's three children Mary Brune-Taddei (Michael) of Cary, NC, Philip Charles Brune of McLean, VA, and Richard Joseph Brune (Cindy) of Woodinville, WA; and Herman's two grandchildren, Dr. Jourdan Brune Collins (Ryan) of Seattle, WA and Erik George Brune of Woodinville, WA. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Wilma Rugen Buggeln (Bob) of Massapequa, NY, Robert Rugen (Bryna) of Smithtown, NY, John Rugen (Rosemary) of Danbury, CT, Frederick Rugen (Lorraine) of Lake Grove, NY, James Rugen (Dianne) of Mastic Beach, NY and Carole Rugen Truman (Paul) of Albrightsville, PA.
Besides his beloved wife Marianne, Herman was also preceded in death by his parents Herman and Lillian Brune, and his only sibling, his sister Lillian Brune of Rugen, Jamaica, Queens, NY.
After Marianne's death, Herman remarried in June, 1978 to Edna Hart Brune in Wilmington, DE. He and Edna moved to Homosassa, FL, then to Diamondhead, MS, then to Thomson, GA and finally back to Long Beach, MS in 2016. On October 24, 2018, Edna preceded Herman in death.
Herman is survived by Edna's children Randy Hart (Martha) of Long Beach, MS, Hal Hart of Fort Mill, SC, Tami Hart LaVance (Bill) of Southerland, VA and Tabitha Hart Brooks (David) of Cranberry Township, PA; 17 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.
Herman is remembered as a loving father and stepfather, a gentle soul and an affable person. Towards the end of his life, his caregivers described him as a person of fortitude and faith, and an inspiration to those around him.
In lieu of flowers, his family would prefer contributions be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars at VFW.org and/or the Billy Graham Association at billygraham.org.
A graveside service will be held at 12:30 PM on Monday, March 25, 2019 at Biloxi National Cemetery, 400 Veterans Ave. Biloxi, MS.
An online obituary may be viewed, and memories and photos shared at www.riemannfamily.com