Ellsworth George Brunais, 91, b. June 22, 1927 d. July 23, 2018. Predeceased by his beloved wife Jacqueline (Breniser) Brunais; loving father to the late Brian (Debby) Jeffries; Andrea (Hal Gibson) Brunais; the late Valerie Washburn-Brunais; Francine (Jeff) LeClaire; Kay (Alan) Brunais Hunsanger and Scott (Kathy) Brunais. Adored grandfather of 14 and great-grandfather of 3; affectionate brother of David (Carol) Brunais; Robert (Sue) Brunais; Betty Ruth Krause, Lillias Jancek and Annette (Ken) Blake; predeceased by siblings Chester A. Brunais, Marilouse Haines, Herbie Brunais and Glen Brunais. Son of Chester Arthur & Lillias May (Myers) Brunais.
Born on a farm in Bear Lake Michigan, Ellsworth valued education so much he sold his blood and sometimes lived on an orange a day to pay for the advanced degrees he earned, including his Master’s degree in Engineering from U of M. As a Chrysler engineer he worked for NASA on the Redstone, Apache, Gemini and Skylab space missions and as the head of jet propulsion on the Apollo moon landing missions. In 1953 he married the widowed Jackie Jeffries, the love of his life, and became a loving father to her young son Brian, and eventually five more children. A man of great faith, he was active in St. Ronald’s Church until shortly before his death. He was renowned for his kindness and integrity and his gentle and sweet nature as well as his keen intelligence; he was adored by children, beloved by family, and respected by all who knew him. His passing leaves less light in this world.
Visitation from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 27, 2018 at Kaul Funeral Home, 35201 Garfield Rd. Clinton Twp. MI (586) 792-5000 Funeral Service 10:00 in state, 10:30 mass Sat., July 28, 2018 at St. Ronald’s Catholic Church 17701 15 Mile Rd, Clinton Twp, MI 48035. Internment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. www.kaulfuneralhome.com
