Charles Lawler Bruns Sr.
PORTLAND — Charles Lawler Bruns Sr. (Grampy), 84, of Gray, passed away quietly on Monday, Oct. 5, at St. Joseph’s Manor.
He was born and raised in Portland and lived in Gray for the past 55 years.
He attended Portland High School, where he enjoyed football and had the reputation of being a fine athlete. He served in the U.S. Navy as a coxswain during World War II. His ship the LST 133, was among the first to land on Normandy beach on D-day. He served throughout the war with distinction in battles, in Europe, Africa, The Pacific, and The Philippines.
After the war, he worked at B&M for 39 years. He was an active member of St. Gregory’s Church acting as a eucharistic minister. He went there daily during his retirement to tend the gardens and help with church maintenance. He had a friendly manner, a large imagination, and corny sense of humor that family and friends enjoyed.
He is survived by his 13 children, Charles Jr., Margaret and Cal Stanley, Kathleen and Daniel Lowe, Bonnie and Stephen Berry, Patricia Bruns, Kenneth and Roberta Bruns, Michael and Leona Bruns, Mark and Jessica Bruns, Matthew and Anne Bruns, Ruth Ann and Bruce Kimball, Jeannie and Ralph Butts, Louis and Paulla Bruns, and Mary Celia Bruns; 36 grandchildren; and 13 great-grand children. He will be missed by us all.
He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret; his brother, Harry; and grandson, Jonathan.

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