Gail Brazeau Obituary

WEST BOYLSTON - Gail A. (Tunstall) Brazeau, 88, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 5, 2025, with her loving family by her side. Born in Worcester, she was the daughter of James and Estelle (LeBoeuf) Tunstall and lived most of her life in West Boylston. Her husband of 53 years, Paul J. Brazeau died in 2009.
She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her two daughters, Paula E. Gould of Leominster and Suzanne E. Brazeau of West Boylston; her son, Robert P. Brazeau of West Boylston; her sister, Ellen Belanger of Worcester; two cherished grandchildren, Melissa Kibbe and her husband, Todd and Cassandra Colburn and her husband, Marc; and six beloved great-grandchildren: Nathan, Joseph, Giuliana, Quinn, Violet and Ryker. She also leaves her favorite dog and companion, Gigi. In addition to her husband, Gail was predeceased by her son, Michael W. Brazeau; her grandson, Christopher M. Gould; and her sister, Jane Thibeault.
Gail graduated from Ascension Catholic High School in Worcester in 1953 and attended Regis College and Anna Maria College for a short time before she and Paul decided to take on the family business as their career.
During her college years, Gail began corresponding with a young serviceman, Paul Brazeau, who was stationed overseas in the U.S. Air Force. When he returned home they were married on February 11, 1956. Gail's pride and joy became the Franklin Manor Restaurant in West Boylston, which she ran with her husband Paul, for the majority of her adult life. Gail and Paul ran the restaurant until its sale in 1994, for a short time in between she ran a Café at the Worcester Art Museum, where she felt she could be more creative.
She was proud of her Catholic education and was a longtime member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. In a time of reflection on her deep connection to her faith, she wrote, "I have found solace in hard times in having a loving God to help me through." While she sometimes described herself as stubborn, slightly judgmental, and having high expectations, she is fondly remembered as ambitious, optimistic, caring, loving and deeply understanding.
Above all, she cherished every opportunity to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always looking forward to those special moments together. She enjoyed watching their sports, teaching them croquet and spending time at cook-outs and family gatherings.
Gail's family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Mom's longtime friends, neighbors and caregivers and those who made enriched her life and made her smile.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Gail's family from 9 to 10:30 am on Saturday, April 12, at Miles-Sterling Funeral & Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling, followed by a procession to Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester St., West Boylston where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am. Interment will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Congregational Church-West Boylston Ecumenical Food Pantry, 26 Central St, West Boylston, MA 05183, the Wachusett Food Pantry, 50 Worcester Rd, Sterling, MA 01564 or a food pantry of one's own choosing.
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