Bruno chairman Angelo J. Bruno dies in crash; son to succeed - Ronald Bruno

Discount Store News, Jan 6, 1992

Bruno Chairman Angelo J. Bruno Dies in Crash; Son to Succeed

ROME, Ga. -- Angelo J. Bruno, chairman of Bruno's, and five other company executives did last month when their corporate jet slammed into a 1,700-foot-high mountain minutes after taking off from Rome's airport in low clouds and fog.

Bruno's, Birmingham, Ala., is the supermarket partner of Kmart in its three American Fare hypermarkets: Atlanta, Charlotte, N. C.; and Jackson, Miss.

Also killed were: Lee J. Bruno, 71, Angelo Bruno's brother and vice chairman; Sam A. Vacarella, 43, senior vice president, merchandising; Edward C. Hyde, 40, vice president of store operations; R. Randolph Page Jr. 49, vice president, personnel; and Karl Mollica, 37, director of produce.

The executives were making their annual pre-Christmas tour of some of Bruno's 241 stores.

All aboard, including an advertising consultant and both pilots, died in the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board said investigators had recovered the jet's flight recorder but were unable to say what caused the accident. The board normally requires as long as a year to determine the causes of such crashes and make final reports.

"Kmart Corporation and I were both deeply saddened by this news," Kmart chairman Joseph Antonini said in a brief statement. "The Bruno family and the company have been wonderful friends and business partners.

"This is a great loss for Kmart, as well as Bruno's. We will miss their contributions to our business, and our deepest sympathy goes to their families and all Bruno's associates."

Bruno's board named Ronald Bruno, 39, to succeed his father Angelo Bruno as chairman. Ronald Bruno retains his previous positions as president and chief executive officer.

PHOTO : Kmart chairman Joe Antonini with the late Bruno chairman Angelo J. Bruno. In a statement, Antonini said |Kmart Corporation and I were both deeply saddened by this news . . . The Bruno family and the company have been wonderful friends and business partners.'