Arthur "Buddy" Joel Brousseau

WORCESTER - Arthur “Buddy” Joel Brousseau, Jr, 77, of Worcester, MA and Palm Beach, FL, a champion for the Homeless and Substance Abuse Communities, has died after a long, brave, and courageous battle with cancer.

He leaves his children, Miles D. Brousseau of Amity, ME, Jesse Brousseau Bernard and her partner Tevis Colon of Cambridge, Kristi L. Kelly and husband Todd Kelly of Auburn and Tori S. Brousseau of Palm Beach FL; he also leaves the mother of his children, Nancy Leyden Cashman, his siblings Linda Allard of Newbern, NC and Warren “Chuck” Brousseau and his wife Patricia of Worcester. He is predeceased by siblings Mary Young of Palm Beach, FL and Martha Vaughn of Palm Beach, FL and his best friend of 65 years, Daniel “Danny” Connelly of the Cape. He was adored by his grandchildren, Sienna G. Kelly and Theo I. Klocke, in addition to many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Buddy was born on August 10, 1948, in Worcester. He was the son of Arthur “Sonny” Brousseau and Evelyn (Somers) Brousseau. After graduating from St. Peter’s Catholic School in Worcester and Worcester Junior College he was drafted by the United States Army and proudly fought for his country in the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged after earning the following commendations and medals; National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

Buddy founded Auburn Transportation in 1966, which he managed for forty (40) years, providing accessible and affordable transportation to multiple day care center communities throughout Worcester.

Buddy was a friend of Bill W’s for almost forty (40) years. He shared his knowledge, passion and commitment about addiction to encourage and support numerous family, friends, and strangers. Throughout his career at the Worcester Public Inebriate Program, Inc “The PIP Shelter”, where he began as a case manager and retired as the Executive Director in 2003. While there, he implemented systems and impacted the growth of recovery with revolutionary programs that provided access and opportunities for sobriety to the communities most vulnerable.

Buddy loved to travel and explore new places, especially destinations that were known for good food and coffee. He loved meeting new people and had the ability to talk about anything and everything with anyone he met. Most importantly, he was a sincere, genuine person with endless patience who loved his family and friends and cherished the times he spent with them. He was a friend to all, and he will be greatly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Buddy’s family from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Tuesday, November 11th, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A celebration of life will follow at 12:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be with Military Honors in the Bourne National Cemetery in April 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Senator Philip D. Lewis HRC; Battling Family Homelessness, in Buddy’s memory.

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit his guestbook.