Michael Brunda

Michael Brunda of Upper Montclair, NJ died suddenly while on a vacation with his family in Sedona, AZ. Mike was born in Passaic, NJ, the son of Ukrainian immigrants Helena and John Brunda. Though he did not speak English until he enrolled in school at the age of 5, Mike excelled at his studies. He graduated from Garfield High School, the University of Rochester, and finally, a PhD program in Microbiology/Immunology from Stanford University, where he met the love of his life and fellow scientist Patricia Mongini. He worked briefly at the National Jewish Hospital in Denver, CO and at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD, where he and Patricia were married in 1979. Mike began a long and distinguished career at Roche Pharmaceuticals in Nutley, NJ in 1982. He was an invaluable member of the Roche team, starting as a research scientist investigating anti-tumor treatments and improved therapeutics for hepatitis-C virus. He transitioned into early and late development where he was one of the major individuals responsible for the clinical development of Pegasys, a novel treatment used throughout the world in treating patients with hepatitis-C. He continued to serve as a highly effective Project Team Leader, bringing several other therapeutics through the pharmaceutical pipeline. At the time of his death he was actively involved in coordinating the development of novel antimicrobial agents against antibiotic-resistant organisms, an increasing menace in our hospitals. Mike was highly respected and loved not only by his colleagues at Roche but also by his co-parishioners at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Wayne, NJ where he was an active parishioner and parish council leader. At the center of his life was his devotion to his family, most importantly his wife Patricia, his son, John of Atlanta, GA, and his daughter, Nicole of Washington, DC. His love and selflessness inspired each of them and he will continue to be in their hearts always. Mike is also survived by his brothers-in-law Michael and David Mongini and Joe Settanni; sisters-in-law, Liana Settanni and Michelle Mongini; aunt Valentina Brunda; cousins Maria Prokopowitz and Peter and Lilly Brunda; and nieces and nephews Monica, Stephen, Bianca, Christopher, Megan, Chelsey, Matt, Anthony, Francesca, John, and Katrina. He and Patricia purchased a home in Sedona in 2011 which they loved to visit, and had planned to retire in the Verde Valley next year. A viewing will be held on May 13, 2015 at 6pm at Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood, AZ. The funeral service will be held on May 14, 2015 at 10am at Immaculate Conception Church, also in Cottonwood. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any desired memorial contributions be made in his honor to either NPH, homes for orphaned children in Central and South America (https://www.nph.org/ws/help/donations.php?lang=en), or to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church (285 French Hill Road, Wayne, NJ 07470). Both these causes were dear to Mike\u0027s heart. If you wish to leave a remembrance, photo or story of Mike, the family asks that you do so at the following site: http://memorial.yourtribute.com/michaelbrunda