Beloved husband, father, grandfather, longtime Claremonter

Longtime Claremont resident Terrence “Terry” Brutocao, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died December 6, 2020. He was 77.

He was, above all else, a family man. A child of Italian/Canadian immigrants, Angelo and Norma, he was born on May 14, 1943 in Toronto, Canada. He arrived in Covina in 1951 and ultimately settled in Claremont in 1973. He celebrated his Italian heritage and family traditions, passing on to his children the importance of family, a positive outlook, and warmth to everyone.

Terry graduated from Pomona Catholic High School in 1961. He studied at UCLA and joined the Sigma Nu fraternity. He and Ann O’Connor, his high school sweetheart, were married in 1965, one week after they both graduated from UCLA. They ultimately had four sons and celebrated their 55th anniversary this past June. 

Mr. Brutocao continued on at UCLA, obtaining a law degree in 1968. Following law school, he practiced law at Allard, Shelton, and O’Connor for eight years. Then, following the call of the family business, he managed both West Covina Lanes and Anaheim Bowl for 20 years, working with his father and uncle, whose businesses also included Covina Bowl.

He was also a dedicated volunteer, serving in many different capacities. From 1971 to 1978 he was an active member of the Pomona Jaycees, acting as their legal counsel. He was president of the West Covina Chamber of Commerce in 1991, and spent 45 years as a West Covina Lions Club member, serving as president in 1995. He was also very active in the Southern California chapter of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America.

Following his retirement from the bowling industry in 1997, he and Mrs. Brutocao became mentors to two young students through Uncommon Good’s Clinic to College Program, spending time weekly with them for seven years, and staying in touch with them as they went to college and started their professional careers. He also was a founding member and vice president of the La Verne/San Dimas chapter of Meals on Wheels, delivering meals with his wife to those in need for 17 years. 

His passion was sports. He loved to play golf, and was a member of South Hills Country Club for over 40 years. In addition to golf, he loved following college and professional sports, especially football. He was a lifelong UCLA Bruin fan, and had football season tickets for decades. 

When his four boys were young, Mr. Brutocao spent much of his time encouraging or coaching them in their own sports endeavors. He was always willing to play “catch” with them (baseball or football), or beat them in “horse” with his deadly “bouncing brute” move, which he patented in college. He never missed one of their games. When his health prevented him from continuing to play football or basketball, he would still observe his boys playing sports in the backyard, often giving official scores to the quality of their dives into the pool. It is widely believed that the  Brutocaos had the springiest diving board in the city of Claremont.

A lifelong Catholic, Mr. Brutocao was a faithful parishioner and supporter of Our Lady of the Assumption Church for 47 years.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, his four sons and their wives: Jim and Shannon, Scott and Desiree, Brad and Stephanie and Matt and Suzanne, and 10 grandchildren. He was the oldest of five siblings, and they survive him as well: Mary Brutocao, Bill Brutocao, Paula Brutocao and Julie Brutocao.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Brutocao requested that any contributions be made to City of Hope, which provided hope to him and his family during his bout with lung cancer in 2016, at https://www.cityofhope.org/giving/give-now, or by check to City of Hope, c/o Annual Giving, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte CA, 91010.

The family plans to hold a memorial service to celebrate Mr. Brutocao’s life sometime in the spring, when it is safe to gather.