Vince Bruno Award

Vince “Jester” Bruno November 14, 1948 — November 21, 2002

This page is dedicated to the memory of our brother Vince “Jester” Bruno.  Vince was an original Charter member of STAR and the Phoenix Chapter and served as the Phoenix Chapter Secretary from January of 2000 to January of 2002.

Vince was always serving others. First serving his country as a member of the United States Air Force and then serving his community as a Police Officer then Detective with the Phoenix Police Department.  He finished both careers as a decorated veteran.

Vince was awarded the “Order of the STAR” in 2000 for his work as Chapter Secretary. In the spring of 2001 Vince, along with Dave Nowlin, then of the Show Low Chapter, put together the “Joker & Jester Run to the Mountains”. The event was a great success and was attended by over 100 STAR members from Arizona.

In November of 2002 Vince lost his battle with cancer. It is in his honor and memory that we name and dedicate our Chapter award of appreciation. He will be greatly missed.

Vince “Jester” Bruno — A Brother Remembered Criteria for the Vince “Jester” Bruno Chapter Appreciation Award.

Any member of the STAR of Phoenix may make the nominations for the award.

 1. Nominations must be made in written form and submitted to the Chapter Board of Directors. Nominations sent in an electronic form are acceptable. The nomination may be presented in person at the monthly Board of Directors meeting.

2. The nominee for the award must be an active member within STAR Touring & Riding for at least one year.

3. Specific reasons for receipt of the award should be detailed. The Chapter Board of Directors will meet and make the final decision on the award. The member making the nomination will be notified of the final decision of the Board. Awards will be presented to the recipient at the next scheduled quarterly Chapter meeting.

 

The Vince “Jester” Bruno Chapter appreciation Award Recipients

 2003

The first “Bruno” award was presented to Vince posthumously in January of 2003. Vince’s Widow Pegi (Pita) Bruno was presented the award at the annual Chapter meeting.

 

STAR Touring & Riding International President Alan Cease was presented with the award during the 5th Annual S.W. STAR BBQ in April of 2003 in appreciation for all he has done to assist Chapter 113.

 

Chapter member B.J. Janopolis was presented the award at the Jester Run to the Mountains held in Globe, AZ in June of 2003 for his life saving efforts when Chapter member Clyde Shonk went down and sustained what were life threatening injuries.

 2004

Chapter member Cindy Horsfall was presented with the Chapter award in Feb of 2004 for her outstanding work in procuring items for the Chrome for a Cause run over the past three years.

 

Doug “Shark” Balvanz received the Bruno Award in October of 2004 in recognition of the outstanding work he has done as the STAR Auctioneer. Shark has brought credit upon himself and Chapter 113 nationally by accepting the duties as the auctioneer at all but one of the STAR Days events and at all of the S.W. STAR BBQ’s to date.

2005

The 2005 Vinnie Jester Bruno award was presented to Papa Ralph and Darlene Aitken for in appreciation for continuous hard work within the chapter and lending a helping hand at any time called upon.

Paul Bell was awarded the Vinnie "Jester" Bruno award at the December Meeting.  The nomination was skillfully written and submitted by Doug "Shark" Balvanz.  Here is an excerpt:

"not only has he contributed to chapter 113, but has assisted many other chapters in the greater Phoenix area, as well as STAR Touring & Riding organization at large...

It was Paul and his vision that has kept the chapter on track and helped it progress to where it is today. I also know that you can also include other chapters in the valley, as they contain members that originally came from 113. Paul has been instrumental in helping to shape STAR as it appears today in the greater Southwest.

I truly feel that Paul has had a significant direct and long term impact on The STAR Of Phoenix, Chapter 113"