More detail on this person: Colonel "Pete" Pierre Victor Brunelle, 81, a resident of Port Orange, Florida, passed away on February 4, 2018. Pete was born on October 4, 1936 in Lowell, Massachusetts, the son of Dr. P. Victor and Helena (Bagshaw) Brunelle. Pete was a graduate of Lowell High School (1954) and the University of New Hampshire (1958), where he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. After graduation, Pete was commissioned in the U.S. Army in 1958 and served our nation admirably throughout a 28-year career. Rising to the rank of Colonel, his service is highlighted by outstanding performance in command positions with tactical units, and in key staff positions at senior levels within the Army. He also served in two combat tours in Vietnam, including successful command of both transportation and aviation units, and received recognition for valor while under hostile fire as a helicopter pilot. His military awards and decorations include; the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, seven Air Medals, two Commendation Medals, three Vietnam Service Medals, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Army Master Aviation Badge. Pete was also qualified to fly fixed wing multi-engine aircraft. Following his very distinguished career, Colonel Pete Brunelle retired from the Army in 1986, where he and Karen retired to Florida. Pete was a man of integrity and honor; a deeply caring and fun-loving husband, father, grandfather, sibling, uncle and friend. He lived his life to the fullest playing golf, tennis, and surfing well into his 70's. As the years progressed one of his favorite pastimes was spending time at the beach, where as his family fondly notes: "He enjoyed strapping his surf board onto the roof of his car, checking the swell and surfers at the inlet." Pete ultimately cherished his time with family and dear lifelong friends. Pete is survived by his adoring wife of 57 years, Karen Marguerite (Trost) Brunelle, who subsequently passed February 20th, two daughters and sons-in-law, Kim Marie (Brunelle) Kehoe and Kevin Kehoe of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Deanna (DeDe) Brunelle Gonzalez and Raymond Gonzalez of Potomac Falls, VA, four grandchildren, Cheyne Hunter and Danielle Marie Kehoe, Adrienne Brittney and Melanie Karen Gonzalez, and one great-grandson Cameron Hunter Kehoe. Pete is also survived by his sister Helene Brunelle Hickey of Hanover, NH as well as many nieces, nephews and close family friends. Pete was the oldest of five siblings. He was predeceased by his parents, younger brother Charles Bagshaw Brunelle, and two younger sisters, Terese (Brunelle) Kealy and Janice (Brunelle) Hastings. A memorial service at Lohman's Funeral Home in Port Orange, FL, will be held at at 3:00 PM, Saturday, March 31, 2018, and a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date. Condolences may be shared with the family through the online guest book at www.LohmanFuneralHomes.com. Contributions in memory of Pete may be made to: Team Red, White & Blue (www.teamrwb.org) or the Veterans of Foreign Wars (www.vfw.org).
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 03/11/2018
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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