CHICOPEE – Bernard J. “Bernie” Brunelle, 75, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, July 10, 2023. He passed into Eternal Life at his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on January 1, 1948, a beloved son of the late Rene E. Brunelle and Sophie A. (Mickiewicz) Conway. He was raised in Springfield, graduated from the Springfield Trade High School and moved to Chicopee in 1972, where he lived the remainder of his life. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Specialist Fifth Class. He received the Marksman Carbine Citation and the National Defense Service Medal. He was employed as a Chemical Operator at the former Ineos Melaminers, LLC in Indian Orchard and retired in 2012. Bernie loved watching movies and had an extensive DVD collection. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and his grandchildren. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Janine G. (Lapointe) Brunelle. They were married at Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee on May 27, 1972 and they were blessed with over 51 years of happiness together. He also leaves his two loving daughters, Tara C. Brunelle of Cromwell, CT and Lisa A. Fitzgerald and her husband, Michael, of Chicopee; his five cherished grandchildren, Anastasia, Danika, Callum, Carlotta, and August Fitzgerald; his sister, Eileen Buteau and her husband, Joseph, of Hampden; his brothers in law, Richard Lapointe of Chicopee and Roland Dion of Leominster; his sister in law, Denise Kennedy and her husband, William, of South Hadley; and his many nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and extended family members. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Raymond and Robert Brunelle; his sisters, Dorothy Brunelle and Jeanne Heath; and his sister in law, Lenore Dion. His funeral will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 594 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at Notre Dame Cemetery, 63 Lyman Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, July 15, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. prior to his Mass. The parking lot and main entrance of the funeral home are located in the rear at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or to Smile Train, 633 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com