William Brunault Obituary, Death; – An investigation is currently underway following a motorcycle accident that resulted in the death of one man on Monday in Holyoke. Friends and family have confirmed that the victim of this incident is William Brunault. According to the Holyoke Police, they arrived at the intersection of Lyman and North Bridge Street shortly before 3:00 PM.
Authorities report that the individual operating the motorcycle was transported to the hospital, where he subsequently passed away. On Tuesday, we had a conversation with Bobbie Kelley from South Hadley, who has been a friend of Brunault for approximately 34 years.
“One of the most significant things I remember about him is that he was incredibly caring, and he was often the one to remind us to be cautious when leaving any gathering. He would always tell everyone to give a hug and to be careful on their way home,” Kelley stated.
She mentioned that he was an integral part of the motorcycle community and was well-known at a local bar in Holyoke. “The owner just called me from the Clover, and everyone is deeply saddened by this news, yes, very much so.”
Many referred to Brunault as William Bill, Williard, or Willie. However, for Carly Brunault, he was simply known as dad. “He was a wild and free spirit, and that inspired everyone around him,” Carly expressed. One notable instance of her father’s adventurous spirit occurred in the 1980s when he competed against 280 bikers in a dirt bike race in Manchester, Vermont. “The race was 50 miles long, and he secured first place.”
This was a memorable experience for Brunault’s longtime friend Donald Orchutt, who had been by his side that day and throughout the years that followed. “All I want to convey is that he has been my friend since high school, and he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it; he was a kind, loving, and caring individual,” Orchutt shared.
We are still waiting for more details from the Hamden District Attorney’s Office about the crash. In the meantime, if you’d like to donate to the family, you can visit their GoFundMe.
