Bruno Corsi, 71, founder of Southpoint Autobody A master autobody craftsman and the founder of Southpoint Autobody on Grand Street in Bridgeport died Sunday June 24, 2012 at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport. His work and expertise ranged over seven decades and served customers from all walks of life, from movie stars and TV newspeople to the average Joe. Having begun his training in postwar Europe, he apprenticed at a company which manufactured trucks, buses and later vehicles, in a career that would span 57 years. Always having an enterprising spirit and a very friendly personality, he did work for himself while training and was quickly known for the quality of his work and personal honesty. By the late 50's, he had honned his craft with a mechanical degree from technical college, personal practice from serving customers and being current with repair technology during a decade of rapid automotive advancement. Coming to the United States in 1962, he had immediately found employment at Nelson Autobody and in the evenings at Avco in Stratford, CT, creating helicopter engines for the Army during the Vietnam War. Many were impressed with his professionalism, competency and genuine easy personality. In 1970, he resigned Avco to devote his energy to the automotive trade and began his company on Grand Street in Bridgeport. In this time, he served many diverse, satisfied customers from throughout the area, instructed many future bodymen and established many friendships with local personalities and civic leaders. Often his work was exhibited in auto competitions by antique and exotic auto collectors and enthusiasts. He was born June 15, 1941 in Frosinone, Italy, son of the late Joseph Corsi from South Greensburg, Pennsylvania and Teresa (Tagliaferri) Corsi. Often termed the "Gentle Giant" by family and friends, his genuine personality, comforting smile and patient demeanor was well known. Being a master storyteller family, friends and customers alike would enjoy being entertained by his recounting of often historical events and personal situations experienced during the last half century. A staple of these stories would include home-made wine he would often experiment in crafting during the autumn each year. Married to Antonette (Sementilli) Corsi, his beloved wife of 40 years, they later lived in Trumbull, CT. His oldest son, Bruno Alexander Corsi and his wife Kristin (Hall) Corsi and youngest son Mark Anthony Corsi are both from Trumbull, CT and currently run the Company. Close family are brothers-in-law, Lidio Sementilli and his wife Valerie (Redmond) of Monroe, CT, Mr. Giulio Sementilli of Florida and his daughter Melanie Sementilli of Texas, a nephew Lidio Sementilli Jr. of New Haven, CT, and four dear nieces: Lisa (Sementilli) Lancia of West Haven, CT, Annamarie Sementilli of Waterbury, CT, Linda Perrault and her husband Timothy of New Fairfield, CT and Gina Sementilli of Monroe, CT. Grandnieces and a grandnephew are Brianna Algazali, Sofina Sementilli, Gabriella Sementilli, Brian Perrault and Jasmine Sementilli. Family and Friends are invited to attend the funeral on Saturday June 30, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Church, 210 Shelton Road Trumbull, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Entombment will follow in St. Michael Chapel Mausoleum. Private calling hours will be Friday evening. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Bruno Corsi Automotive Scolarship Fund at any Community-Technical College in Connecticut, care of the Dennis & D’Arcy – Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home of Stratford. To offer online condolences please visit www.dennisanddarcy.com