RICHARD BRUSO

CORNWALL — Richard Bruso, a lifelong resident of Cornwall, Vt., passed away March 12, 2026, at the age of 79, on the same DeLong Road where he was born on Aug. 29, 1946. He was the son of Willard and Emily (Messer) Bruso.

A proud son of Vermont, Richard dedicated his life to hard work, the land, and his community. He was a Vietnam War veteran who served with the Vermont National Guard engineering unit, building essential roads in South Vietnam to ensure the safety and mobility of allied forces.

Upon returning home, Richard continued his life of service in his hometown. For over half a century, he served as the dedicated sexton of the Evergreen Cemetery in West Cornwall, succeeding generations of his family in tending to the resting place of many Addison County residents. A master craftsman, Richard took immense pride in his work, digging graves by hand to precise dimensions: exactly 6 feet deep, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long. He often remarked with quiet dignity that he was honored to be the last person many people saw on this Earth.

Inspired by his childhood proximity to Jud Severy’s Every Wind Farm, Richard harbored a lifelong dream of becoming a farmer with a cherished herd of Jersey milkers. While he worked tirelessly to acquire land, tractors, and equipment, and even built a dairy barn, his dream of running a full-scale dairy farm remained just out of reach — a point of reflection he often shared with friends. Richard loved to regale those around him with stories of his life, passing down his relentless work ethic and his strong opinions on the “right way” to run a farm.

He is survived by his beloved community in Cornwall, numerous friends, and his faithful companions in the fields, and several cousins.

A private graveside committal service with military honors will take place at a later date in Evergreen Cemetery in Cornwall.

A memorial service in celebration of his life will take place, April 9, at 11:30 a.m., at The Whiting Community Church. Rev. Brett Cody, pastor will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department or a local charity supporting Vermont veterans.

Arrangements by Miller & Ketcham of Brandon. ◊