Robert W Brunelle Sr

Robert W. Brunelle, Sr. RUTLAND - Robert W. Brunelle, Sr., 89, died November 7, 2023 at Rutland Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. Robert was born February 1, 1934 in Rutland, Vt., son of C. Arthur Brunelle and Mary Hurley Brunelle. Bob graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy in 1952, where he played on the MSJ Championship football team. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps In 1953 and was a US Marine Corps Korean Era veteran. After boot-camp at Parris Island, he was sent to Camp LeJeune for engineering school, and then to Camp Pendleton CA. The remainder of his active duty was served in Kobe, Japan and Okinawa, with 3rd Marine Division Engineers, occupational forces. Bob married his high school sweetheart, Joan Frances Brewster, June 8, 1957. After employment at Lyman Russell Corp., with the G.I. bill and night school, he was a certified Master Plumber, self-employed as President of Brunelle & Quesnel Plumbing & Heating Corp., later R. W. Brunelle Plumbing & Heating Co. He was well known for his quality workmanship and integrity in business. Upon retiring from the plumbing business, he was employed in property maintenance by Tepper & Dardeck Center St. LLC and then DEW Center St. LLC at 73-79 Center St. Bob was very proud of his strong work ethic. Together with his two sons, Robert, Jr. and Michael, Bob owned and restored a 1929 Model A Ford Tudor sedan and was President of the Vermont Chapter Model A Ford Club of America. Bob was a member of American Legion Post 31 and VFW Post 648. He was a founding Charter Member of Rutland Edson Detachment, Marine Corps League, serving as Commandant, Sr. Vice Commandant, long term Adjutant, and long term Service Officer. During his tenure, he was instrumental in bringing the US Marine Corp Band to Rutland several times for concerts. He was co-founder and long term Chairman of the Detachment's annual "Toys for Kids" campaign. Bob was very active in community service works as a Boy Scout Leader, the fund raising and building committees of 1989 Rutland Chapter Habitat for Humanity, getting his wholesalers to donate plumbing and heating materials and donating his labor to build a Habitat house on North Church Street on land donated by Grace Congregational Church. In the 1900's, for Paramount Theater restoration project again donating his labor and materials, he worked on fund raising, the building committee, later facilities committee, as well as the Usher Corps. His other interests included history, visiting historical sited with his family, family genealogy, and reading. He was a long time member of The Rutland Historical Society. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan, his daughter Dr. Gayle K. Brunelle and her husband Bernard Allaire of Carrassonne, France, son Robert, Jr. and wife Grace of Jericho, VT, and their daughter, Sarah, son Michael and his wife Susan Nusser, and their daughters, Geneva and Antonia of Milwaukee, WI.. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Joan Brunelle Clifford. As Bob's request, there will be no calling hours. The celebration of his life funeral mass will be held later at the convenience of the family with burial at the Vermont Veterans Cemetery in Randolph, Vt. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home.