Written By Debbie Black, Sr. Writer Advancement
Above photo: Fr. Patrick Howell
Over the years, Rich Tonelli and his late wife, Karen L. Brunstrom Jordan Tonelli, discussed their shared desire to honor their parents and grandparents guiding beacons in their lives in a meaningful way.
“My grandparents and my parents worked hard throughout their lives doing what was necessary to put food on the table,” Tonelli says. “They instilled in me the values of honesty and integrity. If they gave their word it was their bond, no question about it. Karen learned the same values from her family.”
Rich’s grandparents were primarily dairy farmers while Karen’s worked in the construction and fishing industries. They believed in resilience, hard work and recreating themselves when catastrophe struck never thinking they couldn’t realize their dreams for a better life. They passed this spirit of perseverance and solid values on to their children and grandchildren.