Remembering a legend: Friends, colleagues, family celebrate the late Bruno M. Ponterio

When a building bears your name, it signifies the profound impact you've had on the community. When that name is Bruno M. Ponterio, it represents a community that has embraced his values and continues to live by them.

During a recent reception held on March 1, in the school building that bears his name, friends, colleagues, mentees and members of the Rye Brook community gathered to remember the late Mr. Ponterio, who passed away one year ago this month. In addition to the many stories that were shared, those in attendance were the first to see and try out a new bench at the school that was placed in Mr. Ponterio’s honor.

“Bruno Ponterio is a legend in Blind Brook,” Superintendent Colin Byrne said. “He was still a big part of this district even after his retirement. We could always rely on his support.”

Dr. Byrne said he was always impressed with how the former principal knew so much about everyone he met.

“The amount of care he showed to everyone in this community is what I admired about him,” he said. 

The one thing that Mr. Ponterio expressed to everyone working in education was, “‘take care of yourself, take care of your family, and then take care of the schools,’” Dr. Byrne said.

Food, as many of the speakers shared, was a big part of Mr. Ponterio’s legacy. He would bring bagels to every meeting; he would invite his administrators out individually to share a lunch and a special ice cream treat after.

BMPRSS Principal Tracy Taylor always picked the cinnamon raisin bagels when Mr. Ponterio brought them in. He then began to bring in the flavor just for her. He even brought her to “Pasquale Ristorante,” a restaurant in Port Chester that she was desperate to try once he found out that was her preference.

“That was Bruno,” Ms. Taylor, principal of the Bruno M. Ponterio Ridge Street School said. “He made small moments so big.”

“He made sure you knew how valuable you were,” Ms. Taylor continued. “He had this incredible way of making everyone feel special.”

Retired BMPRSS teacher Linda Greco recalled when Mr. Ponterio, who was principal at the time, first hired her in 1988.

“He always kept me on my toes,” she said. “He always expected the best from teachers. He created an environment of trust, and we responded with a willingness to do the best for him.”

“He wasn’t just my principal, he was my inspiration,” Ms. Greco continued. “He was a legend, a leader and a beacon of excellence.”

She’ll never forget another one of his favorite sayings, she said, “do something nice for someone before it’s too late.”

During the reception, guests were invited to enjoy breakfast, bagels and coffee, of course. 

“He’d deliver food to people and sometimes ask me to help and sometimes I’d show up at people’s doors in my uniform,” retired Rye Brook Chief of Police, and Mr. Ponterio’s nephew, Greg Austin said.

“He was my mentor, he was a resource for me,” Chief Austin continued. 

Congressman George Latimer and New York Assemblyman Steve Otis shared some words and presented Mr. Ponterio’s family with a Proclamation from the State Senate. State Senator Shelley Mayer also stopped in at the event.

“What a presence he was,” Mr. Otis said. “Bruno was always the warmest person. He was always active, visible and engaged.”

Representative Latimer said that Mr. Ponterio left a mark in the public sector that can never be replaced.

“They give up their whole lives to serve us,” he said of public servants, and that embodied Mr. Ponterio.

Several members of the Ponterio family were in attendance, including his wife Joann, their three children and their families.

As Ms. Taylor told them, “Your Dad was all of our Dads.”

“We hope we are living up to his legacy,” she said.