Gaitan N. Brule, 89, of Manville passed away peacefully with his family by his side Wednesday morning April 19, 2017 at Landmark Medical Center. He was the loving husband of the late Lea M. (Bilodeau) Brule. They were married for over 50 years at the time of her passing in 2002. He was also the loving companion of Claire Roy of Woonsocket.
Born in Woonsocket he was a son of the late Paul E. and Yvette (Houle) Brule. He was a resident of Manville for most of his life.
Mr. Brule was a United States Navy veteran serving with the Seabees during WWII.
He was employed by Uniroyal Inc. in Providence for over 30 years before retiring in 1979. In his earlier years he also worked for Standard Cab, Ricard’s Roofing and Eastland Bank. He was also a funeral assistant for the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Homes.
Mr. Brule was a member of the American Legion Alphonse Yelle Post 9 in Manville, the Golden Agers of Manville and Albion and the St. Joseph Senior citizens club. He was a very active member of the service club Lions International. Gaitan was instrumental in the founding and subsequent reactivation of the Lions Club for the Town of Lincoln. He donated countless hours to the Lions club in their support of community endeavors.
Gaitan loved to travel including trips all over the U.S. and Canada, Hawaii, cruises and spending many winters in the Florida sunshine. He always looked forward to coming back to Rhode Island in the warmer months to catch up with family and friends. Gaitan will be remembered as a devoted family man and friend to all via his warm and friendly personality.
He is survived by a son Normand G. Brule and his wife, Maddy, of Woonsocket, three daughters Deborah T. Thibodeau of Pawtucket, Denise Belisle and her husband, Arthur, of Cumberland and Janet Sawyer and her husband, Steve, of North Smithfield. He was the father of the late Rose Mary Magano and Lillian M. Brule (whom Gaitan cared for during her life). He was the brother of Richard Brule of Manville, Alfred Brule of Lincoln and Jeanne Benoit of Cumberland. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and their families.
His funeral will be Monday at 10:00 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. James Church, Division St. Manville. Burial with military honors will follow in St. James Cemetery, Manville. Visiting hours are Sunday from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Lincoln Lions Club c/o Rod Suennen, Treasurer 90 Lewis Farm Rd. East Greenwich, RI 02818.
www.menardfuneralhome.com