Gerald Francis Brunton's Obituary
Gerald Francis Brunton of Dallas, Texas was born on October 1, 1935 in Jersey City, New Jersey and passed away on February 4, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Vera Brunton of Dallas, Texas; son, Jerry Brunton of Chicago, Illinois; daughters, Julie Thompson of Carol Stream, Illinois; Kellie Opyd-Doran of Bartlett, Illinois; Katie Bittlingmaier of Wheaton, Illinois; Holly Brunton of Glen Ellyn, Illinois; and five grandchildren, Luke, Jake, Ana, Grace, and Marlo, and two step-grandchildren, Denis and Kyrill.He was a great man who had a knack for being able to make anyone he encountered feel special. He led a long, accomplished life, yet remained humble about his accomplishments. He spent his life volunteering to help people including: working with the Junior Chambers of Commerce in Ridgewood, New Jersey and Syracuse, New York; coaching boys’ and girls’ basketball and softball teams, and leading youth programs at St. Joan of Arc Church in Lisle, Illinois.He was a successful business man, working in New York, Chicago, and Dallas throughout a career that lasted 60 years. Most recently, he turned his broad business background to consulting and was providing guidance and management advice to a Chicago-based restaurant group until the week before he died.He was instrumental in launching several businesses including Norris Technologies in Dallas and several not-for-profits including the Montessori School in Farmers Branch, Texas. Even as he became increasingly limited physically, his volunteer efforts continued, most recently with For Love & Art (www.forloveandart.org/who-we-are/) where he served as Senior Officer and COO Emeritus, and the Dallas Area Parkinson’s Society.Visitation is on Monday, February 12, 2018 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Restland Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 10:00am in the Wildwood Chapel on the grounds of Restland Memorial Park.
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