90th birthday By April Lehmbeck HARPER WOODS — John Bruneel loves Harper Woods, and turning 90 isn’t stopping him from showing the community how much he cares. Several government officials from the local, county, state and federal levels recently came out to tell him exactly how much his dedication to the community means by giving him several proclamations in honor of his birthday, which was Oct. 30. “John has just been a dynamo in the community,” Harper Woods Mayor Kenneth Poynter said. “What I really like about John is the fact that he thinks about what’s best for the community, what’s best for the majority of people, which I think is unique in these times of the ‘me’ generation. “He doesn’t think about ‘me,’” Poynter said. “He thinks about ‘we.’” Since Bruneel moved into Harper Woods in 1960, he’s been hard at work. He served as a member of the Harper Woods School Board, including being president of the board for a period of time during his 13-year stint, which ended in 1982. He is currently a Planning Commission member and has been for years. When it comes to giving to the community and taking part, Bruneel throws his hat all the way into the ring and gives his all, Poynter said. One of his major strengths is his ability to work as a fundraiser, which he has done for years. He’s a member of the Lions Club and the chaplain for the local American Legion and the Dad’s Club — and that’s just a sampling of his dedication to the community. The World War II veteran has even donated more than 17 gallons of blood over the years. “He’s just a good person.” Poynter said. Now that he’s 90, Bruneel said he doesn’t plan on hanging up his hat when it comes to his community work. “You’d never take him for being 90,” Poynter said. Bruneel said he appreciated the gestures that the proclamations represented. “That was beautiful really,” he said. “I was really shocked by it. “I had a great bunch of friends that I cherish, and I love them and I’m glad that they’re with me,” Bruneel said. Bruneel decided to celebrate his birthday and receive the proclamations on Oct. 20, his grandson’s birthday. It’s a tradition, celebrating with his grandson — who turned 25 — even if he couldn’t make it this year since he’s in Arizona in the military. Bruneel has served as a Planning Commission member for decades, started his service with the Lions Club about 25 years ago, and is a charter member of the Dad’s Club from 1972. “I’m the only charter member left,” Bruneel said. “All the rest have either moved, passed away or declined to continue their services.” He talked about his plans to work the concession stand at last Friday night’s high school football game as part of his service on the Dad’s Club. When he looks back on his time in Harper Woods so far, he said things have changed over the years, but it’s been change for the better. “I wouldn’t live anywhere else,” Bruneel said, adding that the city is made up of “a great bunch of people.” “We’ve got a great council, too,” he said. “I think the mayor and the council and the city administration has just done one fantastic job for the citizens of the community.” |
