Albert J. Pruneau, a beloved husband, father, “Papa”, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 23, at Oakdale Rehabilitation Center, West Boylston, with his loving wife by his side. He was 95.

He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife of 70 years, Beatrice L. (Bedard) Pruneau; two daughters: Gayle McAuliffe and her husband Gerald of Holden, and Susan Marino and her husband Robert of Auburn; five grandchildren: grandsons Michael and Corey Marino, and Christopher and Ryan Miller, and granddaughter Shannon (McAuliffe) Glick; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was predeceased by his son Joseph A. Pruneau and his ten siblings.

He was born and raised in Worcester, son of Joseph A. and Ida (LaBrie) Pruneau. He attended Commerce High School before enlisting in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 (with his parents’ permission). Al was a proud veteran of World War II serving as a gunner on the destroyer Everett F. Larson. He was a Navy man through and through and regaled all of us with his unending stories of his time in the Pacific theater. After his discharge from the Navy, he completed his high school education.

Al was an accomplished artist and designer. He began his career at Rockwood Sprinkler Company. At Heald Machine Company, he was the lead graphic designer and he retired from Feecon Corporation as lead designer and Executive to the Vice President where his proudest accomplishment was his design and patent for the foam turrets used on all of the firefighting trucks at airports throughout the world.

He was a gifted vocalist and tenor enjoying membership with the Worcester Men of Song for over 65 years. He performed in the quartet The Mello-Deans and later with the Haystack 4, entertaining throughout the U.S. and Canada and capturing the title of Northeast Comedy Quartet Champions.

Al was an avid gardener and his green thumb was legendary. His 20 foot tomato plants were not a myth and he passed his love of the earth down to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Our “Papa” will always remain in our hearts and memories. The many lessons that he taught us will stay with us forever.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Al’s family on Tuesday, December 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday, January 3, at St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton St., Jefferson.

Masks and distancing will be required at the calling hours and church. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Al’s name to the Resident Activity Fund of Oakdale Rehabilitation Center, 76 North Main St., West Boylston, MA 01583.