FREEPORT—Deacon Henry Donald “Don” Brunette, 92, died July 16, 2022. 

 

Deacon Brunette was born March 8, 1930, in Flint, Mich., to Henry and Helen (Castonguay) Brunette. 

 

He moved to Milwaukee, where he worked as an electrical engineer at Cutler-Hammer. There he earned a patent for improvements to the reed switch. He also served for years in the U.S. Navy. 

 

He married Marian Baierl on Sept. 17, 1953, at Sacred Heart Church in Marshfield, Wis. Together they welcomed six children into their family. 

 

In 1964, Deacon Brunette and his family moved to Freeport, where he worked for 27 years at Honeywell International Inc. before retiring in 1991.

 

He was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Rockford in 1980 and served at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Freeport. He ministered to the sick and dying as a chaplain at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, Rockford, and at Freeport Memorial Hospital, providing hope and comfort to many. 

 

In 2019, he moved to Presque Isle, Mich., and spent his final years with his daughter Mary and her family. He enjoyed serving as a docent at the local historical lighthouses. 

 

Deacon Brunette was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Marian; his daughter Theresa; his parents; his brother Albert and his sister Mary Lou. 

 

He is survived by his brother Charles; his children Dave (Kathy), Bob (Barbara), Greg (Mary), Mary (Nick) Tagliareni and Mike (Rhonda); his nine grandchildren, Vanessa, Nathan, Ben, Natalie, Dan, Emily, Lauren, Zach and Craig; and his four great-grandchildren, Lillian, Vivian, Marlon and Jasmine.

 

A funeral Mass was held July 27 at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Burial took place at Calvary Cemetery, Winnebago. 

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Presque Isle Township Museum Society in Presque Isle, Mich.