Obituary of Jacques Brunner

Jacques Brunner, in his 100th year of life passed away at home on February 14, 2024. He was born on January 19, 1925 in Vienna, Austria. Jacques was a Holocaust survivor. His family fled Austria in 1938 and made their way to France where they were captured by the Germans and placed in a camp. Jacques escaped and made his way to safety in Switzerland. There he made the decision that he wanted to fight the Nazis and joined the French underground resistance - the 13th Regiment Alpine Hunters. His participation in the French army resulted in his gaining French citizenship after the war. In France he met his wife Lea and had two sons Serge and Michael. In 1950, Jacques and Lea decided to immigrate to the United States where Jacques had family living in Vineland. Jacques spent the rest of his life living in Vineland and then in Millville. In Vineland he completed his family with the birth of his daughter, Mimi. Jacques spent his working years as a plant manager in the clothing manufacturing industry. Upon retirement he began his second career as an avid bicyclist, joining the SJ Wheelmen and logging over 6,000 miles annually for nearly 30 years. Jacques loved soccer and was instrumental in starting the initial soccer leagues in Vineland. And when his grandson was old enough, he coached his soccer team till he reached high school. His next beloved avocation was fishing which he shared with his son. During this period, he also rediscovered his Jewish roots and attended morning prayers faithfully for the rest of his life. He and Lea enjoyed 75 years of marriage and during their retirement years they were able to travel throughout the United States, Europe, Israel, and Mexico. Family was always central to their lives and celebrating family events was always a high point and no one ever enjoyed a party more than Jacques. Surviving Jacques are his children, Serge and wife Noel Brunner, Michael Brunner, Mimi and husband Kai Kaysen; his grandchildren, Jeremy and wife Randee Brunner, Jaime and husband Matt Dauphinais; and his great-grandchildren, Jordan and Jared Brunner and Ethan and Logan Dauphinais. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Sheila Brunner and his brother-in-law, David Geler. The family wishes to express their sincerest thanks to Jacques's caretakers, Jacqueline Helm and Diane Melfi. Their care exceeded our highest expectations and we are very grateful to them for that. A graveside service and burial will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 11am in Alliance Cemetery, Norma. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com