Svend W. Bruun, Jr., MD

Svend W. Bruun Jr., MD, a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and physician who served his community with distinction for more than four decades, died Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. 

He was born Sept. 11, 1939, in Englewood, N.J., the son of Svend W. and Mildred (Dalrymple) Bruun. After graduating from Ridgewood High School, he studied chemistry at Wittenberg University in Ohio, where he graduated in 1961. He continued his education at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. It was in Rochester where he met his future wife, Gerrilu (Henry), who was studying at the Genesee Hospital School of Nursing. They married on Aug. 21, 1965 and enjoyed nearly 60 years together. 

After completing his residency in internal medicine at Greenwich Hospital in 1969, Dr. Bruun completed a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the Boston VA Healthcare System in 1970. 

Dr. Bruun began practicing primary care medicine at Somerville Medical Associates. He then moved to the Fitchburg area, where he practiced medicine from 1972 until his retirement in 2011. He was named Community Clinician of the Year by the Worcester North District Medical Society in 2005, and HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster honored him with its Distinguished Physician Award from the Medical Staff in 2010. 

He was a longtime active member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, serving on its Board of Trustees, chair of its Communications Committee, and a member of the committees on Strategic Planning and Bylaws. He also served two terms as president of the Worcester North District Medical Society. His wife was also active in the medical community through decades of engagement with the Massachusetts Medical Society Alliance at both the district and statewide levels, including service as president of the organization. Dr. Bruun was an active ally in his wife’s pursuits, even after his retirement from active practice. 

Beyond these professional affiliations, Dr. Bruun was beloved by his patients for the expert care he provided and the warmth and kindness with which he delivered it. The longevity of his service to the region let him serve generations of families. For years following his retirement he was always delighted to run into former patients or their loved ones who were eager to thank him for his care.

For all his accomplishments as a caregiver, he will be best remembered by his family and loved ones as an amazing father and grandfather, always expressive in his love and appreciation for those lucky enough to spend time with him.

He also possessed an unfailingly dry sense of humor. He delighted in sharing and receiving jokes, whether silly or saucy, and could be counted on to summon groan-inducing puns for any occasion. Laughter was in abundance at any family gathering, and he relished in contributing to that joyful atmosphere.

This sense of humor never left him, as he kept the twinkle in his eye even in the final years of his life as he negotiated the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease. His wife was a tireless and expert caregiver until her passing in January 2024, after which he became a resident of The Highlands nursing home in Fitchburg. His family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at The Highlands - many of whom knew him from his own career practicing medicine - for the compassionate care they provided him in the final 16 months of his life, as well as the other caregivers who supported him along the way. 

Dr. Bruun is survived by his four children: Andrea Hunnewell (and her husband, Roger) of Putney, Vt.; Stephen (and his wife, Lori) of Columbia, Md.; Matthew (and his wife, Amanda Baker) of Fitchburg; and Alison (and her husband, Jesse Mazer) of Providence, R.I.; his sister, Rinda Russ of Virginia Beach, Va.; six grandchildren, including Andrew Byron, Will Byron, Jeffrey Byron, Emily Bruun, Pauline Bruun and Henry Bruun; three great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 30 at the Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Massachusetts Medical Society and Alliance Charitable Foundation.