Obituary for Brian Wilfred Brunette
Brian Wilfred Brunette died peacefully at home in the company of his beloved wife and family on Monday, February 1 after a long illness. He was 82.
Brian was born on May 7, 1938 in Mohawk, New York to Wilfred and Vina Yando Brunette. He attended Ilion High School, where he excelled in athletic pursuits and received many awards for excellence. He continued his studies, and his athletic career, at the State University of New York at Brockport and at Oswego.
After beginning his career at Remington Arms Company in Ilion, NY, he moved with his wife Nora and his young family to Caledonia in 1965. He worked for 33 years at Specialized Printed Forms in a variety of positions and made many friends there. When he first lived in Caledonia he also worked part-time as a sacristan at St. Columba Church, where among his many duties was the ringing of the church bell — something his children delighted in helping him do.
After retiring from Specialized Brian worked part-time for ten years at Caledonia Mumford Central School supervising the in-school suspension program. He formed a deep bond with many of the students who he called “my kids.” When not working he enjoyed playing golf and woodworking. He was known as someone who could fix anything. His family will remember his gentle spirit, his great and abiding sense of humor, and his deep faith.
In addition to his wife Nora, Brian is survived by his five children — Mary Cannon (Frank) of Arlington, Virginia; Elizabeth Hofmaster (Paul) of Batavia, NY; Brian Daniel (Stacie Altman) of Caledonia; Ann Adams (Dale) of Rochester, NY; and Thomas James (Danielle Harrison) of Great Neck, NY. His is also survived by nine grandchildren — Daniel (Sarah) Cannon, Michael Cannon, Colleen Hofmaster (fiancé Mike Byron), Andrea Hofmaster, Jake Brunette (fiancée Morgan Hauslauer), Robert (Amanda) SinClair, Brian (Kela) SinClair, Shae Brunette and Reese Brunette; and two great-grandchildren — Duke SinClair and Hayden Tam. He was predeceased by his parents and his older sister, Elaine Brunette.
Friends may call Thursday at Alhart Funeral Home on Main Street in Caledonia on Thursday, February 4 from 5-7 p.m. His Mass of Christian Burial will beheld at St. Columba’s Catholic Church, 198 North Street in Caledonia at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 5. Interment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any gifts in his memory be made to Hospice of Livingston County, 2 County Campus, Mt. Morris, NY 14510, All Babies Cherished, 445 Ellicott Street, Batavia, NY 14020 or to the EP Stone Church Backpack Program, 3177 Church Street, Caledonia NY.
Brian was born on May 7, 1938 in Mohawk, New York to Wilfred and Vina Yando Brunette. He attended Ilion High School, where he excelled in athletic pursuits and received many awards for excellence. He continued his studies, and his athletic career, at the State University of New York at Brockport and at Oswego.
After beginning his career at Remington Arms Company in Ilion, NY, he moved with his wife Nora and his young family to Caledonia in 1965. He worked for 33 years at Specialized Printed Forms in a variety of positions and made many friends there. When he first lived in Caledonia he also worked part-time as a sacristan at St. Columba Church, where among his many duties was the ringing of the church bell — something his children delighted in helping him do.
After retiring from Specialized Brian worked part-time for ten years at Caledonia Mumford Central School supervising the in-school suspension program. He formed a deep bond with many of the students who he called “my kids.” When not working he enjoyed playing golf and woodworking. He was known as someone who could fix anything. His family will remember his gentle spirit, his great and abiding sense of humor, and his deep faith.
In addition to his wife Nora, Brian is survived by his five children — Mary Cannon (Frank) of Arlington, Virginia; Elizabeth Hofmaster (Paul) of Batavia, NY; Brian Daniel (Stacie Altman) of Caledonia; Ann Adams (Dale) of Rochester, NY; and Thomas James (Danielle Harrison) of Great Neck, NY. His is also survived by nine grandchildren — Daniel (Sarah) Cannon, Michael Cannon, Colleen Hofmaster (fiancé Mike Byron), Andrea Hofmaster, Jake Brunette (fiancée Morgan Hauslauer), Robert (Amanda) SinClair, Brian (Kela) SinClair, Shae Brunette and Reese Brunette; and two great-grandchildren — Duke SinClair and Hayden Tam. He was predeceased by his parents and his older sister, Elaine Brunette.
Friends may call Thursday at Alhart Funeral Home on Main Street in Caledonia on Thursday, February 4 from 5-7 p.m. His Mass of Christian Burial will beheld at St. Columba’s Catholic Church, 198 North Street in Caledonia at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 5. Interment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any gifts in his memory be made to Hospice of Livingston County, 2 County Campus, Mt. Morris, NY 14510, All Babies Cherished, 445 Ellicott Street, Batavia, NY 14020 or to the EP Stone Church Backpack Program, 3177 Church Street, Caledonia NY.