Col. Pierre Victor Brunelle, USA Ret., 1936 – 2018 Karen Marguerite (Trost) Brunelle, 1935 – 2018

Colonel Pierre "Pete" Victor Brunelle , 81, a resident of Port Orange, Florida, passed away on February 4, 2018.  Pete was born on October 4, 1936 in Lowell, Massachusetts, the son of Helena Bagshaw and Dr. P. Victor Brunelle. He was a graduate of Lowell High School (1954) and the University of New Hampshire (1958), where he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. After graduation, he was commissioned in the U.S. Army and served our nation admirably throughout a 28-year career. Rising to the rank of Colonel, he exemplified the Army Values for outstanding performance in command positions with tactical units, and key senior level positions within the Army. Pete served in two combat tours in Vietnam, including successful command of both transportation and aviation units, and received recognition for valor while under hos-tile fire as a helicopter pilot.

Pete's military decorations, medals, citations and campaign ribbons awarded include; the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, seven Air Medals, two Commendation Medals, three Vietnam Service Medals, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Army Master Aviation Badge. He was qualified to fly fixed wing multi-engine air-craft. Following his very distinguished career, Colonel Pete Brunelle retired from the Army in 1986, where he and his wife of 57 years, Karen, retired to Florida.

Pete was a man of integrity and honor; a deeply caring and fun-loving husband, father, grandfather, sibling, uncle and friend. He lived his life to the fullest playing golf, tennis and surfing well into his 70's. One of his favorite pastimes was spending time at the beach, where as his family fondly notes: "He enjoyed strapping his surf board onto the roof of his car, checking the swell and surfers at the inlet." Pete cherished his time with family and dear lifelong friends.

Karen Marguerite (Trost) Brunelle , 82, a resident of Port Orange, Florida, passed away on February 20, 2018.  Karen was born on April 5, 1935 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the daughter of Alberta Rosalie Friedlander and Louis Roland Trost. She was a graduate of Junction City High School and attended Kansas State Uni-versity. After a two-month whirlwind courtship, she married 2nd Lt. Pierre "Pete" Brunelle.

Karen and Pete traveled and raised their daughters in Hawaii, Alabama, Missouri, Kansas, Georgia, Korea and Virginia. Upon their retirement in 1986, they relocated to Melbourne and ultimately Port Orange, Florida. Karen, a devoted and vivacious wife, mother, grandmother, sibling, aunt and friend, coached swimming and cheerleading when her daughters were young. An avid tennis and golf player, she was also a "card shark", enjoyed teaching and playing card games with her daughters and grandchildren. Those who knew Karen declared she was the most charming person they ever met. Everyone loved her--you just couldn't help it.

Pete and Karen are survived by their two daughters and sons-in-law, Kim Marie (Brunelle) Kehoe and Kevin Kehoe of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Deanna "DeDe" Brunelle Gonzalez and Raymond Gonzalez of Potomac Falls, Virginia, four grandchildren, including Cheyne Hunter and Danielle Marie Kehoe, Adrienne Brittney and Melanie Karen Gonzalez, and one great-grandson, Cameron Hunter Kehoe.

Pete was the oldest of five siblings. He is survived by his sister Helene Brunelle Hickey of Hanover, New Hampshire and many nieces, nephews and close family friends. Pete was predeceased by his parents, Dr. P. Victor Brunelle and Helena Bagshaw, younger brother Charles Bagshaw Brunelle, and two younger sisters, Terese (Brunelle) Kealy and Janice (Brunelle) Hastings. Karen is survived by two brothers Roland MacFarland Trost and wife Patricia of St. Paul, Minnesota, Michael Barry Trost and wife Leanna of Midland, Texas, and sister Kathryn Lynne Gardner of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and many nieces, nephews and close family friends. Karen was predeceased by her parents, Alberta and Louis Trost.

Lifelong loves that lasted over 57 years, having met on a blind date and marrying a mere two months later, Pete and Karen passed away just 16 days apart, blissfully reunited forevermore.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00PM, Saturday, March 31, 2018, at the Lohman Funeral Home, 1201 Dunlawton Avenue, Port Orange, Florida; family and friends will be received from 1:00PM to 3:00PM. A funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be shared with the family through the online guest book at www.LohmanFuneralHomes.com. Memorial contributions in memory of Pete and Karen may be made to Team Red, White & Blue (www.teamrwb.org) or Veterans of Foreign Wars (www.vfw.org) .