Bruce Willis Sightings « Penns Grove

Bruce Willis Sightings

Penns Grove, NJ is the home of Willis Hardware located on Main Street near the Delaware River. Nearby is a dock where ferry boats led to the city of Wilmington, Delaware.
Bruce was not born in Penns Grove but rather in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany. His mother is Kassel-born German woman, Marlene, who worked in a bank. His father was David Willis, an American soldier. Willis was the oldest of four children. Siblings include Florence, David, and Robert. After being discharged from the military in 1957, Willis’ father took his family back to live in Carneys Point (near Penns Grove), New Jersey, where he worked as a welder and factory worker. He also fixed lawnmowers on the side for extra income. His parents separated in 1972 while Willis was in his teens. He was always an outgoing youngster, although he grew up with a stutter. Willis attended Penns Grove High School in his hometown. Finding it easy to express himself on stage and losing his stutter in the process, Willis performed on stage and his high school activities in such things as the drama club and school council. After high school, Willis took a job as a security guard and he also transported work crews at the DuPont Chambers Works factory in Deepwater, New Jersey. He quit after a colleague was killed on the job, and became a regular at several bars. Willis learned to play the harmonica and joined an R&B band called Loose Goose. After working as a private investigator Bruce enrolled in the drama program at Montclair State University, where he was cast in the class production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Willis left school in his junior year and moved to New York City. Willis returned to the bar scene, only this time for a part-time job. After countless auditions, Willis made his theater debut in the off-Broadway production of Heaven and Earth. He gained more experience and exposure in Fool for Love, an appearance on television’s Miami Vice, and in a Levi’s commercial.
After graduating high school, Bruce worked at a DuPonts (“Uncle Dupy” to the natives). In the mid 1980’s he portrayed a gun-runner in a TV show called Miami Vice. He made two trips to Penns Grove during this time and during each he ordered takeout from the Roman Pantry. When he came to the Grove he sported a new pair of jeans that were given to him for starring in Levi’s commercial.
1996 – Bruce returns to the Grove for a ceremonial visit. He manages to buy an 11 acre parcel on the Delware River for approximately one half a million dollars. The old Penns Grove National Bank is thrown in the deal for just $65k additional. On the way out of town Bruce sends his driver to the Roman Pantry to pick up a few sacks of the Di Marco/Di Paolo families’ famous cheesesteaks.
1998 – Bruce’s real estate company, Screwball Incorporated, abandons efforts to to build a 50 million dollar entertainment and retail complex in Penns Grove. Two large sub platters to go accompany the actor on his way north on 295. Folks in Valle San Giovanni go back to their wives and mistresses.
Nov/2003 – Far from her ancestral town, Pacentro in Abruzzo Italy, Madonna Ciccone flies over Penns Grove on her way back to Hollywood.
2008 – During the summer of 2008 Bruce was definitely in Penns Grove. At the time he rumored to be searching for a home for his father who still lived in this lovely community of Salem County, NJ. A masked stranger arrives at the Roman Pantry asking to see Marianna and requesting a dozen extra large cheesesteaks. He inquires if 10 of them can be deep frozen and packed in dry ice for a voyage to Colorado. The order is filled and the stranger pays with a credit card bearing the name “Screwball, Inc”. The 50$ tip on the register leaves the clerk speechless.
2009 – David Andrew Willis, Sr. age 79, passed away at Cooper Hospital, September 3, 2009. He was born November 13, 1929 in Carney’s Point, NJ. He was a lifetime resident of Carney’s Point and Penns Grove. As a young man, David worked as a welder on the Kitty Hawk at the Camden Shipyard. He was employed by DuPont as a millwright and master mechanic for over 25 years until his retirement in 1988. David was pre-deceased by his wife Alma and his son Robert. He is survived by his children: Bruce, Florence, David Jr. and Peggy. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren.
Sept 2009 – Although there is an element of sadness in his trip, Bruce manages to put on a smile as he reconnects with the Di Marco family, proprietors of South Jersey’s famous Italian Kitchen and Roman Pantry. Rumors abound that Bruce tries to talk Marianne into coming to New York to open a sub, pizza and more importantly, a cheesesteak emporium. Marianne sees green, Gino sees red, and plans are put on hold. More to follow…