WORCESTER-Ralph T. Brunelle, 77, of Worcester, a retired Worcester Police Sergeant, passed into God’s arms on Thursday, April 15th in UMass-Memorial Hospital, Memorial Campus. He leaves his wife of 54 years, Barbara M. (Surprenant) Brunelle; a son, David T. Brunelle (W.P.D. Retired) and his wife Theresa of Worcester; four grandchildren, Herbert H. Tirrell, III of Worcester, Cathlyne R. Tirrell of VT, Domenic Gemma and his fiancée Marissa of Worcester, and SSGT Peter Gemma and his wife Christine of Goodfellow AFB, TX; and nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his daughter, Sandra L. Tirrell, in 1997 and his brother, Alfred E. Brunelle, Jr. in 1999.
He was born in Worcester, the son of Alfred E. and Ruth R. (Clement) Brunelle and lived here all his life. Ralph served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Era, graduated from CAL AEROTECH in Glendale, CA, and after being discharged he served in the Air Force Reserves. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Worcester Police Department, where he worked in the Juvenile and Training Divisions before attaining the rank of Sergeant. He retired in 1984.
Mr. Brunelle was a member of the Massachusetts and Worcester County Retired Police Associations, the Worcester Police Relief Association, the National Rifle Association, and was a life member of the Amvets.
Ralph’s family would like to thank all of the staff and nurses in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit of Memorial Hospital for their wonderful care of Ralph and the compassion shown to him. Ralph was truly a special person and will be missed more than words can say.
The funeral is Tuesday, April 20th with a service at Noon in O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. Calling hours are from 10:00 A.M. until Noon Tuesday in the funeral home.