John Curtis Bruner died peacefully on March 31, 2026, with a full head of thick, black hair, surrounded by love, music and his family. A graduate of the Groton High School class of ‘73, John went on to complete his Bachelor of Arts in Music at Lowell State, followed by an MBA at Rivier University. He was many things in life— he was his own man, and followed no one; naturally smart in the ways of the world. He was a plastic model builder genius, chess and backgammon master. A really good mechanic. A cyclist. A tremendous musician. But above all, he was probably the best Dad, Grampa John, brother, bandmate and friend you could ever have.

Johnny was a schoolboy when he heard his first Beatles song. “Love Me Do” I think it was… and from there it didn’t take him long. No wait, that’s Bad Company.

Struck with a particularly boring case of the flu and itching for something to do, John picked up his sister's guitar and taught himself to play. Soon after, he had mastered several additional instruments, and over the following decades played with too many musicians and joined too many bands to list here — most notably as a founding member of Eastwood Peak, a band that spanned some fifty years. If you asked John, he'd say he was a bassist. But if you knew John well, you knew there were no real limits to his musical ability or talent, and no instrument he couldn’t play.

Son of a doctor, he was often asked if he'd follow in his father's footsteps, to which he'd simply respond, "No, I just want to be a regular guy.” He didn’t want a packed schedule, or to miss out on life’s more quiet moments. His sole mission was to be present for the people he loved and to make sure they felt seen and important. As a father, grandfather, boss, friend, bandmate, he went above and beyond this goal. John will be remembered and celebrated for his kind heart, genuine smile, and warm, welcoming nature.

In his retirement, John became a constant, dependable presence in the lives of everyone around him. Showing up to sidelines and recitals with a cup of Dunkin in hand, arriving first to every party, getting the neighborhood kids off the bus in the afternoon (with a box of Munchkins in tow), before slipping out to practice or open mic night and doing it all again the next day. He had a gift for fitting everything and everyone in, and no one who needed him ever had to wonder if he'd show up. He always did.

The first 69 years of John's life defined his legacy, but his last year revealed something more. After suffering a major basilar artery stroke that resulted in Locked-in Syndrome– leaving him unable to do many of the things he loved most– John did not give up. He met each day with quiet resilience and determination, defying odds, and those who were with him in that final chapter will carry it with them always.

John is survived by his daughters, Kaitlin Yamamoto and her husband Sean, and their children Royce, Sawyer, and Fynn; Kristin Bruner Goodwin and her children Jack and Zoe, and very good boy, Lenny; his stepson Chris Rogers, his wife Marissa, and their son Zach; and their mother Linda Rogers Bruner. He is further survived by his sister, Temple Bruner Staples, her husband Jody; his brother, Bradford Bruner, his wife Susan; nieces and nephews Lex, Katy, Blake and Max; and cousins Maggie and Gene Shreve.

He is predeceased by his parents, Dr. John M.R. Bruner and Barbara Temple Bruner.

John was also deeply loved by a wide circle of friends and bandmates who filled his life with music, laughter, faith and decades of good memories.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 15th from 5 - 8 pm  at McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main St., (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Groton Hill Music Center.

Celebration of life to be held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to the McGaffigan Family