In memory of Peter Brunette

I am so lucky to have known Peter and studied with him at George Mason; he directed my visual cultures field. We shared a working-class perspective on being in academia and a love of our Italian heritage--I still remember his mother's pizelle served at the final class of Freud and Lacan. How sad that he is gone--I'm just glad that he left from a place where he had always wanted to be and where he was surrounded by friends.

— Lynne Constantine
July 02, 2010 - 07:00 AM

I cut my teeth on Derrida and Barthes under Peter's tutelage, in the Ph.D. program in Cultural Studies at George Mason. Although we parted ways when it came time for the dissertation -- he wanted me to do something on film and I was hell-bent on writing about 19th century illustrated periodicals -- he continued to be a great inspiration to me. I think he would be delighted to see that my first book is now coming out from his long-time publisher, the University Press of Mississippi. The world will be a tad bit dimmer with Peter's light gone out of it.

— Cynthia Patterson
July 01, 2010 - 10:22 PM

Peter Brunette was a real character, a real scholar and a real teacher. He will be missed.

— Wendy Burns-Ardolino
July 01, 2010 - 02:49 PM

I will always remember Prof. Brunette as one of my favorite Wake professors. He opened my mind to so many great films and pushed me to be a better student. I will forever be grateful for his interest and support in my filmmaking endeavors. His passing brings a great lost to the Wake Forest Community.

— DeeDe Pinckney
June 29, 2010 - 08:42 PM

I was so sorry to read that I lost a cousin. The last time I saw Petey, was at one of our family reunions about 8yrs. ago. I'm sure that we will remember him at this year's reunion. My condolences to his sister Rose.

— Eva Nardelli
June 27, 2010 - 10:54 PM

Peter predicted that eventually he would publish his autobiography, "The Life of Peter Brunette as Told To Him by Ab Logan." I was his external hard drive. Peter studied film and film theory; I studied Peter.
We met up when we entered the MA program in English at Duquesne University in 1965. We were Teaching Assistants. In 1967 we moved on to the University of Wisconsin again as TA’s. We roomed together there, were active in the TAA, unionizing the TA’s and opposing imperialism, racism, and the University’s collusion in the war against Viet Nam. In June, 1969, Peter was Best Man when Mary Lindemann and I were married. After Peter and Lynn were married, we liked to point out how two Pittsburgh Catholic Virgo English Major 1943 boys had gone to Wisconsin to find and marry two Wisconsin Protestant Leo Library Science Major 1945 girls.
That first day back in Pittsburgh in September, 1965, the new TA’s were oriented by Ralph Boettcher. He walked us through the freshman English syllabus, explained policies and procedures, and ended with this solemn note: “Boys,” (I think he apologized to Jan Noval) “understand that every new TA at some point in his first year receives a mash note from one of his female students. I want you to understand the University’s policy on fraternization. You will not even acknowledge receipt of such a communication. There will be no romantic communication between staff and students.” I thought, well that’s clear, and fore-warned is fore-armed. And I waited. No mail for me. As the semester ended Peter Brunette was flooded with notes, letters, flowers, wine and candy. Did he have even one unsmitten female student?
Wisconsin had no anti-fraternization policy (they should have) but Peter and I were trained already. I didn’t need protection but Peter did. I understood—he was just an irresistible guy.
It is hard to accept that the hundreds of conversations I expected yet to have with this great raconteur are not going to happen

— Ab Logan
June 25, 2010 - 09:25 PM

Petey was a wonderful cousin and nephew....he
would always send my mother his"Aunt Bea" postcards from abroad...and when
one would arrive in the mail Mom would
know without even reading it that Petey
was keeping her posted.....You will be
missed dear cousin for all of your
magical traits.....xxoo cousin joy

— joyce jones
June 25, 2010 - 01:48 PM