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Harold Bunnell Harold Bunnell Harold Bunnell
In Memory of
Harold Frederick  "Bud"
Bunnell
1923 - 2018
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Thurston Rowe Funeral Home
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Obituary for Harold Frederick "Bud" Bunnell

Harold Frederick  "Bud"  Bunnell
On Monday, July 9, 2018, Harold "Bud" Bunnell passed peacefully from this earth to join his wife and other beloved family. Bud was a fixture in Milton, known by many for his rabid support of "The Mighty Red Sox" (his words!) and the UConn women's basketball team. In the latter part of his 95 year life, he could be seen sitting on his porch, waving to passing cars and hoping for a visitor or two. Never at a loss for words or a snappy comeback, he garnered many friends, chatting with everyone from clerks at Stop and Shop to anyone who worked in restaurants or hardware stores. He was loved by many who didn't even know his name.

Bud was born in 1923 to Frederick and Louise Chappius Bunnell as the fourth generation to be brought home to the farm on Maple Street. He met his beloved wife, Frances Manning Bunnell, at a 1940's dance hall, Medlicotts. Dancing, especially the Polka, was their passion. He lost Fran in 2014, just shy of their 68th anniversary. He was also predeceased by his wonderful sister and friend, Phyllis Bunnell Anderson.

Through his childhood and young adulthood, he was very active in 4-H as both an award-winning participant and leader, and as a regional baseball player (his first love) for several teams. Bud was an active member of the Litchfield Grange and belonged to the Masons. Upon retirement, he and Fran travelled to some of his favorite places, with many trips to Florida, Vermont, Hawaii, and Maine, where he was disappointed to NEVER have seen a moose!

By his own words, he was a stubborn old "Swamp Yankee!" He was a modern day Rube Goldberg, "creatively repairing" many items in his home. In his later years, he rehabbed antique cars, a favorite being a 1931 Model A in which he transported many a bride and groom on their wedding day, and was a member of the Litchfield Hills Antique Car Club.

Bud and Fran had five children, Susan Duffy and Sharon Lindstrom (with husband Nils) of Massachusetts, as well as Frederick (“Rick”) Bunnell (with wife Helen) and Althea (“Tia”) Haberern (with husband John) of Litchfield. They lost their son, Kirby, at 22 months. Bud was blessed with 10 grandchildren: Alison Duffy Sarnoski (with husband Dustin), Elizabeth Duffy Marineau (with husband Juddson), Amy Dearth Apfelbaum (with husband Michael), Katie Dearth Tobyne (with husband Sean), Nicholas Bunnell (with wife Sarah Lally), Joseph Bunnell, Kirby Bunnell, Coleby Bunnell, Sarah Haberern (with husband David Boisvert), and Emma Haberern. He was also blessed with 9.5 great-grandchildren: Matthew Sarnoski, Andrew Sarnoski, James Sarnoski, Hadley Marineau, Jacob Apfelbaum, Burke Apfelbaum, Benjamin Tobyne, Jack Toybne, Adeline Lally-Bunnell, and one on the way. What a wonderful life!

A celebration of his life will be at 11:00am on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Milton Congregational Church with burial immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Book of Remembrance, Milton Congregational Church, or the Bantam Volunteer Fire Department.

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