Obituary of Bruce J Artuso
Bruce John Artuso, of Morris Plains, died suddenly at Morristown Medical Center on Friday, February 20, 2026. He was 95.
Born in Treviso, Italy, as a young child Bruce emigrated with his family to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he and his only sibling, Gino, were raised. He remained a proud Canadian the rest of his life.
Bruce was a determined and brilliant student as he grew up. He attended the prestigious St. Michael’s College School for his elementary and high school years. It was during these years that he developed a passion for languages, grammar and music. He was fluent in Italian, English and also taught himself how to speak Spanish.
He loved the Latin versions of any religious hymn or song. As anyone associated with Bruce musically knows, his favorite piece of music was Panis Angelicus—as long as the two different verses were performed!
Bruce graduated from the University of Toronto with his degree in Chemical Engineering. That degree led him to an illustrious and admired career. He began working for Imperial Oil in the Engineering Division in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada in 1953. Imperial Oil coordinated all the oil refinery work in Canada.
During this time, he also met his adored Mary, in the church Glee Club, where they made countless friendships that would last decades. In 1958, Bruce and Mary married, and almost immediately relocated to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, where he became part of the Operations Analysis Division and where he began specializing in Cat Cracking, the Fluid Catalytic Crackers in the refineries.
In 1960, he was transferred to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to work in an iron ore smelting division. He spent five years in Nova Scotia before being transferred back to Sarnia until 1977, when he was transferred to Florham Park, New Jersey, to the Exxon Research and Engineering Division. He looked after the nine Exxon refineries who had purchased Cat Crackers.
It was here that he became one of the world’s most highly regarded experts in the Cat Cracking field. His expertise took him to refineries all over North and South America, Europe and even Australia, for decades, starting up Cat Crackers or being a consultant on refinery shutdowns. Bruce retired at the age of 68, after almost five decades of honorable service to Imperial Oil and Exxon.
As a father, Bruce was revered and admired. He was not easy to argue with, but so intelligent that he was rarely wrong. The loss of his leadership leaves a huge void in the lives of his children.
As a “Gigi,” he was loyal and proud. He and Mary attended virtually every important event his grandchildren were part of in school, sports or the church. He always argued with his “Tom-Tom” GPS about directions, but he made it to every venue! He and Mary were the guiding lights for their grandchildren, never wavering in their love and support. His grandchildren have taken to their adulthood his expertise in cooking family dinners, especially his famous grilled hamburgers and his spaghetti and steak specialty. He was also the best sandwich maker in the world! And no one could wrap a gift or paint a room like Bruce!
There is no doubt that his influence will be a foundation for his grandchildren as they raise their own families. Bruce was incredibly blessed to also become a great- grandfather to his precious great-granddaughters Anna Mary and Catherine Mae. The day before he passed away, his newest great-granddaughter, beautiful Alexandra Poppy, entered the world. He was also expecting a great grandson in June. This great grandchild will carry Bruce’s initials, B.J., honorably through life.
As a community member, Bruce was best known for his involvement with St. Joseph Church in Mendham. He was a devout Catholic with an absolute passion for singing. He had many proud moments as a member of St. Joseph’s choir, which he joined after Mary’s passing. Singing in the choir was a true highlight in his life.
Bruce is survived by his three children: daughter Mary Ann Wilbur; and sons Michael and David Artuso, with Amy Medina, mother of John Michael Artuso. He leaves behind four cherished grandchildren and their spouses; Brian Wilbur and wife Dominique Wilbur (Voitek); Lisa Dulio (Wilbur) and husband Eddie Dulio; David Wilbur and wife Brooke Wilbur (Moyle); and John Michael Artuso.
Also very special in his life were his niece, Lynn Vandenberg (Pacovsky) and her husband, Leon, and their children Jamie Vandenberg (wife Jodie) and Katie Vandenberg. From his Toronto family, Bruce leaves behind nieces Christine Chapel (Artuso), Andrea Artuso, Julie Robinson and Karen Artuso, who knew and loved him as Uncle Bruno.
Bruce was predeceased by his parents Augustino and Luigia Artuso, his beloved wife Mary Artuso (Sullivan) from Toronto, his brother, Gino, and sister-in-law Stella Artuso, and from Sarnia, sister-in-law Anne Pacovsky, brother-in-law Edward Pacovsky and in- laws Mae and Desmond Sullivan.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the very special people who supported Bruce through the years, in good times and bad, including the past and present clergy members of St. Joseph’s, the extraordinary Choir Director Mary Pat, and Cantor Kathryn, as well as all the choir members. Your friendship was Bruce’s shining light and will never be forgotten.
To the friends of Bruce and Mary in Sarnia, Ontario, how can we ever thank you enough? Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your friendship, the bonds you built, the love you gave and the forever friendships that were formed. You were all truly angels in our lives.
To Rev. Msgr. (Fr.) Kenneth Lasch, who supported the entire family for decades, you are our inspiration, a “saint” and a kind and gentle soul.
The family also thanks the Mountain Club Community for assisting Bruce in his time of need. The family greatly appreciates your compassion and care.
At this time, memorial services will be private and for immediate family only. A Memorial Mass and interment will be held in the spring or summer, when the family is able to gather together. Bailey Funeral Home will update this information when it is available.
