WORCESTER  –  Rev. Richard P. Brunelle, AA, 77, of Emmanuel House at Assumption College, died Wednesday, February 20, 2013 in Saint Vincent Hospital after being stricken ill.

Besides his brother Assumptionists, he leaves 4 sisters, Claire C. Brunelle, C. Anne-Marie Brunelle, and Therese D. Lessard and her husband Donald, all of Biddeford, ME and Cecile M. Petrin and her husband Ralph of Somersworth, NH; a brother, Jacques A. Brunelle and his wife Helen of Franklin; 16 nephews and nieces, and several grandnephews and grandnieces.  He also leaves 2 aunts, and many cousuns.

He was born and raised in Biddeford, ME, a son of Arthur and Adrienne (Gosselin) Brunelle. He graduated from the former Assumption Preparatory School in 1954 and studied at Assumption College until 1956. He began his novitiate on September 7, 1956 with Rev. Ulric Charpentier, AA, as Novice Master and made his first profession on September 9, 1957 in Saugerties, NY. He studied at the Angelicum in Rome from 1959 to 1963, obtaining his STL Degree. He made his final profession in Rome on November 21, 1961 and was ordained to the priesthood on February 17, 1963.

Fr. Brunelle first taught mathematics at Assumption College from 1964 to 1977. At the same time he studied at Clark University and was awarded his PhD in Math in 1978. He then was the Master of Novices in Brookline from 1977 to 1980 and the superior at Old English Road in Worcester from 1985 to 1988. He was assigned to Nairobi, Kenya from 1988 to 2000 and then to Arusha, Tanzania, from 2000 to 2003. He served as co-chair on the New England Lutheran-Roman Catholic Committee from 1986 to 1988. He also served on the Diocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs from 1986 to 1989.

The funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 26, in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, 500 Salisbury Street.

The Very Rev. Miguel Diaz Ayllon, Provincial of North America and the Philippines, will be the principal concelebrant. Burial will be in St. Anne’s Cemetery, Fiskdale.

Calling hours will be held at the chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Monday, February 25, with a prayer service at 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Assumptionist Formation Program, c/o Assumptionist Center, 330 Market St., Brighton, MA 02135-2100.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home
340 School Street
Webster, MA
http://www.websterfunerals.com