John H. Prunier, dedicated Greenwich doctor

Tuesday, 07 February 2012 13:13

Dr. John (Jack) Henry Prunier of Greenwich died in his home surrounded by family on Feb. 7 after a 14-year battle with multiple myeloma cancer and subsequently Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Prunier is remembered by his family as a dedicated, tireless and compassionate internal medicine physician who practiced for 35 years in Greenwich who was making house calls up until his retirement. Patients and hospital staff invariably recalled his integrity, selflessness and personal warmth.

Dr. Prunier's faith was an integral part of his life. He is remembered for having a gentle manner, a fast pace and a mischievous sense of humor. Of his wife, Suzanne, he would wink and say, "She was my first and only girlfriend." This May would have marked their 50th wedding anniversary.

Dr. Prunier was born in Elmira, N.Y. in 1930 and graduated Colgate University in 1952. He received his MD from Cornell University New York Hospital where he completed his internship and also served as chief resident. In 1960, Dr. Prunier served as a captain in the US Army medical corps, first in a M.A.S.H. unit in Korea then at Ft. Jay on Governor's Island, N.Y. From 1962 to 1963 he served on the staff of Rockefeller University where he conducted research in genetics. That same year Jack and Suzanne married and moved to Greenwich to begin his practice and to start a family.

Dr. Prunier found great joy working in his garden and spending time with family and friends at the family home in Kennebunkport, Maine. One of his greatest joys, particularly in his later years, was his daily fast-paced walks around Tod's Point, where he always marveled at the beauty of the place.

Besides his wife, Suzanne, Dr. Prunier is survived by his son John; his daughters Georgette and husband, David Brady, of West Chester, Pa., Danielle and husband, Steve Herman, of Los Angeles, Calif., Christy and husband, David Doss, of Riverside and Julie and husband, Shane McGrath, of Riverside; 11 grandchildren; his brother and sister-in-law Paul and Eileen Prunier of Elmira, N.Y., his sister-in-law Frances Prunier of Elmira, N.Y. and his sister and brother-in-law Mary Anne and Kevin Flemming of Ashburn, Va.

The family is deeply grateful to the following for their many years of compassionate and professional care: Dr. Sundar Jagannath of Mt. Sinai Cancer Center, Dr. Dickerman Hollister and staff of the Benheim Cancer Care Center at Greenwich Hospital, the West Haven VA Specialty Care Center, Barbara Duncan APRN of the VA Geropsych Department and Dr. Allison Ostroff, Greenwich gerontologist.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (Themmrf.org/383 Maine Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851) or the Greenwich Point Conservancy (Greenwichpoint.org/PO Box 377, Old Greenwich, CT 06870).

A wake will be held at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 31 Arch St. on Friday, Feb. 10 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral will be held Saturday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. in the church hall at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Riverside.

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