Ann Brunetti’s devotion to family came second to none
Anyone who grew up in Green Ridge or Dunmore in the past eight decades or so, knew Ann Brunetti.
Dunmore’s beloved Ann Brunetti died this past January 27 at 91. And she was just as beloved in Green Ridge,
Remarkably she retired as co-owner (along with her son Mike) and operator of Brunetti’s Pizza, Green Ridge section of Scranton, when she was pushing 90.
Even more remarkable was her work history. She and her late husband Patsy opened Brunetti’s Pizza March 17, 1958.
After the loss of her husband in 1974, she continued to run the business with her son Mike, daughter-in-law Therese and their children. Her late sister Mary also helped out at the front counter. She continued to operate the business she loved for close to 65 years.
After losing her dad, Ann left school at 14 to help support her mom and siblings. One of 10 children, she took a job at Spotless Cleaners in Dunmore. It was there where she met her future husband Pasquale Brunetti, also known as Pat or Patsy. She married him on May 2, 1953. It was also at Spotless Cleaners where she developed a strong work ethic.
When you combine Ann’s years working at both Spotless Cleaners and Brunetti’s Pizza, the math comes out to 75 years of hard work before she eventually retired.
But that was Ann Brunetti. She had an astounding work ethic that amounted to a staggering work history. Even more remarkable than the work ethic was her unselfish devotion to her family. The main reason she worked as hard as she did for 75 years was for her family.
Ann was also loyal to her faithful customers. Most of them had children and then grandchildren who also became regular customers. And she knew every single one of them by name as Brunetti’s Pizza became a staple in Green Ridge on the corner of Sanderson Avenue and Deacon Street.
“I remember her working at Spotless Cleaners when she was just 14,” said Mary “Mazie” Weiland, Dunmore. “She was a very hard worker back then. I can picture her working there as a young teenager. She became well-known in the Dunmore community and was very well liked.”
Kevin “Gig” McGowan, now a writer in Duson, Louisiana, grew up in the Green Ridge Plot section and was a regular customer at Brunetti’s, often picking up a signature ready-made Italian or meatball hoagie.
“Brunetti’s Pizza anchored the Green Ridge Corners of Scranton, serving three generations of locals from the hills of Green Ridge, the Plot and the surrounding area,” McGowan said. “Ann and her husband and son Mike and many others kept the ovens going and they made the best meatball hoagie topped with American cheese this side of North Main Avenue.
“They greeted you by name, knew your family and truly cared about their community. I even remember them sponsoring a youth baseball team.nThe last stretch of Sanderson Avenue isn’t the same without a pit stop at Brunetti’s Pizza.”
Laura Nicodem Horn was raised up the street from Brunetti’s and now lives in the Green Ridge Plot section. She also worked for several years at Brunetti’s, so she had a first-hand view. “Ann was like a mom to all,” she said. “She was tough and full of love. She worked from the time she walked in the door until she left at night.
“She did it all for her family who she loved so much. Her brother would come and work the register in the morning, so she could get her work done. Slicing tomatoes, onions, and lunch meat for the hoagies. Same routine everyday.”
“Then she would take over out front, Laura says. “I would ask her how she does it and she would say you have to push through.”
“Ann told me she did not want to raise the counter hoagie price because she wanted the working man to have a hoagie and a drink for five dollars” Laura explains. “She told me how she made the first six hoagies and they sold. Then she told her husband to get more buns and it started from there. If someone only had a couple dollars, she would find something for them to eat. I loved and respected her more than she probably knew.”
There was always a constant flow of customers running into and out of Brunetti’s for not only the variety of hoagies and pizza, but all kinds of sodas and drinks, ice cream bars, candy bars, Texas wieners, hamburgers, french fries, cold beer, cold cuts, potato chips, pretzels, and other food items.
The ready-made Italian hoagies were always made fresh and on the front counter. There was a back room for customers to relax and have a snack, drink, or bite to eat. And Brunetti’s always kept the prices down and the quality up.
For the longest time in the 70’s and 80’s the ready-made Italian hoagie stayed close to a dollar and a tray of pizza under five dollars. And you could buy an uncooked pizza for even less than the cooked version.
But the one constant for over six decades was Ann Brunetti at the front counter.
Daughter of the late Jacob and Anna Kolatis, Ann was also involved in Saint Anthony’s Holy Name Society, Friends of the Poor, and St. Ann’s Basilica. She was also active with several other organiizations, including Catholic Relief Services, La Festa Italiana, and the Saint Francis Kitchen. She ran countless donation projects at Brunetti’s for the benefit of others.
Ann worked countless hours throughout the week, but she lived for her time with family and friends on Sunday.
She attended church at Saint Anthony’s in Dunmore. On any given Sunday, you would find her with her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Ann’s grandchildren were the love of her life. She would proudly share stories about all of them to her customers at Brunetti’s.
Ann had four beloved grandchildren: Michael, Matthew, Celine, and Jonathan (who preceded her in death). They were the center of her world and every milestone was celebrated. She made it her mission to attend every single dance recital, Boy Scout project and school performance of her grandchildren.
Her extended family were the loyal customers from Brunetti’s Pizza who she loved so dearly. She watched generations grow and enjoyed visits for 65 years.
Truly a useful and unselfish life, focused by devotion to an ideal. She will not be forgotten.