Joseph Albert "Al" Brunette, 73, of New Bedford died Saturday December 20, 2008 unexpectedly at St. Luke's Hospital. He was the husband of Barbara A. (Tardif) Brunette.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Albert and Alice (Arsenault) Brunette, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
Mr. Brunette was formerly employed as a shipper for J.C. Rhodes until his retirement. He also had been a clock repairer, and had done set-up work for Regal House.
A dedicated parishioner of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, he served as a church sexton and sacristan, member and secretary of the St. Vincent dePaul Society, and volunteer at the parish meat raffles. He was the recipient of the Marian Medal from the Diocese of Fall River for his service to his parish.
He had been active in the Sacred Heart Scouting program. He was a member of the Holy Name-Sacred Heart Senior Citizens and the Romeo and Juliet Square Dance Club.
During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Navy.
Survivors include his wife; three children, Karen Fichtenmayer and her husband Bob of Wareham, Ronald Brunette and his wife Susan of Dartmouth, and Paul Brunette and his wife JoAnn of Parker, CO; a brother, Arthur Brunette of Assonet; four sisters, Jeanne Fortin of New Bedford, Doris Fortin and Anita Brunette, both of Fairhaven, and Dianne Tisdelle of Acushnet; six grandchildren, Eric and Amy Fichtenmayer, Leia, Andrew, Julie, and Kylie Brunette; and many nieces and nephews.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 AM at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Burial with military honors will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.