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Community Corner

A Benefit Befitting A Brunelli

Sometimes accepting the inevitable takes a Village.

“Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun”

 

Never mind what you heard.  Two wrongs never make it a right.  Wrongs, regardless of quantity, just make a wrong.

Three lefts do not make a right.  Sometimes all you are left with is a turn for the worse.

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The following is from a Tuesday email by Brunelli Family spokesman Johnny Gardetto:

“Friends of Mark,

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It saddens me to deliver the news that Mark has took a turn for the worst late last night.  At around 3 am Mark went into a coma, a CT scan indicated that the cancer spread to his brain.  He is basically on life support as they try to keep him alive until the family can get out there.

After talking to many of you the consensus is that .  We need to do this in honor of Mark even if it’s not the way we wanted it to play out.” 

I will give you the details of the event Mr. Gardetto is referring to in just a moment. You should know this.  I am writing this on Tuesday evening and Johnny Gardetto just called.  Mark's battle has neared its bitter end. Sadly, Mark passed away early Wednesday morning, April 18. 

First, let’s address the elephant in the room.  I know you are too kind, so I will say it:

Cancer sucks. 

Sometimes being clever falls to making statements both hopelessly painful and hopelessly obvious. 

But I have to finish this, as we have some very important work to do.

Okay, brothers and sisters, let’s make a plan.  Let’s think.  Night crashes in on its own terms.  That is nature’s way.  It is our job to find and then nourish that sliver of light. Darkness never, ever gets to win.

This is tough, no doubt about it.  This will take a village. We need to gather.

The event Johnny Gardetto referred to in his Tuesday email is the Brunelli Benefit.  This Benefit takes place this Saturday, April 21  at Legion Post 416 located at 6351 W. Grange Avenue in Greendale, WI.  It starts at  2 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m.  Bring your checkbook and bring your strength. 

It is time to circle the wagons, my friends.  Severe pain got inside the bubble.

This benefit, this event is about Mark Brunelli. Mark Brunelli – a beautiful man, sincere, warm, that million megawatt smile.

This benefit, this event is for the Brunelli Family. There is no way we can do too much for Renee and Alyssa.  What we can do for the girls in Mark’s life is this:  Our best. 

We can do our best, because that is what Mark Brunelli would unselfishly do for any of us. He would do so without reservation and with only one question,  "How can I help?"

Mark has spent too much time, as of late, in a Bethesda Maryland ICU.  It was clear things were not going well. 

But our brother, Mark Brunelli - without complaint and without losing his sense of humor - simply kept fighting the good fight. Guts and dignity has a new face: Mark Brunelli.

Mark, of course, is far too kind and far too honest to cheat death.  And we are at that stupid inevitable point. Mark, however, goes to that point with grace and honor. This is what we can celebrate at the Brunelli Benefit.

If you are unable to attend, you can make your donation with a check to “Friends of Mark” and send it to , 5850 Broad Street, Greendale WI 53129.

Otherwise, the gathering is Saturday.  Ray and Dot’s. 2:00 to 6:00. 

Hey Brunelli, you will never be a ghost to us.  You are our friend. That does not get to change.

And Mark, the pulpit is yours.  We are solidly behind you, forever. We are your choir. We will sing your praises, brother.  And we will mean every word, especially this:

We love you.

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