Floyd Elwood Bronner

FLOYD ELWOOD (HOPPY) BRONNER

Elwood Bronner entered into rest on Saturday,  February 1, 2025 due to complications from a motor vehicle accident. Son of the late Floyd and Doris Ketcham Bronner, he was born on June 16, 1941 in Middletown, NY. Known as "Hop" by his New York friends and "Woody" by his Florida friends, he had a zeal for life.  He would make friends with whomever he met.  

He was a bagger at LLOYDS where he earned the nickname Hop by jumping from one register to another bagging.  At least that was the story he told about how he earned the nickname.  He worked his way up over the years to Frozen Food Manager.  After 24 years, he was laid off due to the store closing and went to work for Leisure Time Ice & Spring Water as a salesman.  At one point he ventured out on his own with a Bachman route selling pretzels and chips.  He decided he liked days off and went back to Leisure Time.  After retiring, he drove a truck for Wessels Farm delivering flowers.  

Before selling his home in Howells to graduate from snowbird to full time Floridian, he had a pristine yard.  In Florida, he lived at Good Life RV Park where he mowed 40 lawns and power washed trailers and campers there.  He enjoyed the many events the park put on, especially the dances and bingo which he played two times a week.   He was on the horseshoe team and played golf.  On off nights of bingo or events he enjoyed watching on television the Gaither Brothers, Jimmy Sturr and Molly B. polkas, and the old country music.

In his late 40's, he quit smoking and started running, eventually completing three marathons.  He made many friends in the running world.  You could always tell him in the crowd due to the unique running gait he had, a result of having walked on a broken leg before the leg had completely healed.  You could not keep him down. 

He was a lifetime member of the Howells Fire Department, a few months shy of 65 years, having joined May 1, 1960 at the age of 18.  Over the years he held positions as Vice President, President, 1st and 2nd Assistant Chief and Chief.  The longest position held was Fire Police Captain for 17 years. He loved his firehouse family and the comradery and missed everyone when he moved to Florida.  He took much pride that his grandsons also became volunteer firefighters.  

He was a former member of the Otisville Presbyterian Church.  He also helped out the Mount Hope Grange for many of their chicken bbq's cooking the chicken.

His family meant everything to him including his stepchildren, Debbie, Ronnie, Mark and Stacey whom he missed. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his sister Denese Bronner Woodard of Orlando, Florida; daughters Terri Maurizzio of Otisville, NY; Kim (Gregg) Wilbur of Galway, NY; his grandchildren Josiah, Caleb & Rachel Wilbur of Galway, NY and Toni Ann & Tiana Maurizzio of Otisville, NY; childhood friend Eric Runnalls; and longtime companion Georgene Kennedy.    He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Karen Stumpf (7/2024). 

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:00AM to 1:00 PM Monday, February 10th at the Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, 26 Grove St., Middletown, NY followed by the funeral service at 1:00 P.M. Reverend Michael Palazzo will officiate. Interment will follow at the Howells Cemetery, Howells, NY.

The family offers many thanks to the medical staff at Grady Memorial Hospital and Harbor Grace Hospice in Atlanta, Georgia.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Howells Fire Company #1, PO Box 115, Howells, NY 10932

Arrangements have been entrusted to Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, Middletown, NY.

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