SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dennis M. Brunelle, 71, of Holly Drive, passed away Monday, January 13 at Saratoga Hospital.
Born on December 1, 1942 in Albany, he graduated with a BA from Siena College in 1967 and his Masters in social work from Syracuse University in 1969. He was a probation officer for Onondaga County from 1969 to 1971. From 1971 to 1993, he was Director of Medical Social Work and Discharge Planning for St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany and served from 1993 to 2008 as Executive Director of Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council.
Dennis served on many committees and boards, including the following: President and founder of the Hudson Mohawk Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Foundation where he established the first SIDS chapter in the region covering 17 counties, President and founder of the Society of Hospital Social Workers, Saratoga Springs Community Development Block Grant Committee, chair of the Saratoga Springs Homeless Coalition, founder of Shelters of Saratoga (SOS), chairman of the Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission, chairman of Albany Visiting Nurses, chair and Disaster Planning Coordinator for the American Red Cross, a board member of the Saratoga Springs YMCA, board member of Saratoga Senior Services, chairman of the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority and founder of the Saratoga Affordable Housing Group. He also was a consultant in social work for various colleges and many local hospitals. Various awards received included the SpaHa Community Leader Award (1997), Saratoga Springs Rotary Community Service Award (2001) and the Spirit of Saratoga Award in 2004. He was a member of the Church of St. Peter and was a founding member of the parish’s former folk group known as The Joyful Word. He found time to coach many Little League baseball teams and had a love for music, fishing, camping, photography and archery. His greatest love was spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Jean (Wells) Brunelle; a daughter Lisa (Randy) Hunter of Galway and son, Michael Brunelle of Broadalbin; two granddaughters, Cara and McKayla Brunelle; two step-grandsons, Charlie Hunter and Luke Brunelle; an identical twin brother, Donald (Judy) Brunelle of St. Simons Island, Georgia; a sister KathleenTimber of Wynantskill; step-great-grandson CJ Hunter; his mother-in-law, Josephine Wells; many cherished nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and cousins.
In addition to his mother, Virginia Brunelle, he is predeceased by a brother, Daniel Brunelle.
