Eugene A Brunelle

Ret. MSgt Eugene A. Brunelle Eugene A. Brunelle, 103, of Rotterdam, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Born in Schenectady, Eugene was the son of the late Arthur and Clara Becker Brunelle. Eugene began working at General Electric in 1941. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 during World War II, serving with the 361st Engineering Battalion Special Services Unit in both the European and Asiatic- Pacific theaters. He returned to General Electric following his honorable discharge in 1946 working as a Machinist in the Small Motor Division. He retired in 1976 with 34 ½ years of service. Eugene also served in the Army reserves with the 464th Engineering Battalion in Schenectady and was called up to active duty during the Berlin Crisis in 1961. He was highly decorated and retired from the military as a MSgt With 26 1/2 years of service. Eugene was a life member of the VFW Post 1895, and the G.E. ¼ Century Club. He went to the Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. with the Leatherstocking Honor Flight. He was also a supporter of the Patriot Guard Riders. Eugene was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved working with his tools and building things. In addition to his parents, Eugene was also predeceased by his beloved wife, of 57 years; Genevieve Lukaszyn Brunelle, whom he married on November 9, 1937, his sister; Clara Mae Benoche and his brothers; Louis Brunelle, Raymond Jeffs and Charles Brunelle. He is survived by his daughter; Patricia Krawczak, granddaughters; Dawn (George) Emken and Melissa Krawczak, his great-grandchildren; Benjamin Sledziewski-Krawczak, Lucas Emken, and Genevieve Emken,and several nieces nephews and great nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Saturday from 10am to 12 noon at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave. followed at 1 pm by funeral services at the 1st Reformed Church, 8 North Church St. in Schenectady. Burial will be in the spring at Woestina Cemetery in Rottedam Junction. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Eugene’s memory to Leatherstocking Honor Flight, PO Box 621, Cobleskill, NY, 12043 or to the Patriot Guard Riders, Region 4-5, PO Box 12445, Rochester, NY, 14612.