James Brazee

1929 - 2011

James George Brazee

Red Hook - James George Brazee passed away Tuesday, April 26 at home in Red Hook.

James was born in Yonkers, NY on October 1, 1929 to George Robert Brazee, who immigrated to the US as an infant in 1900 from Slovakia, and Anna Sholtis Brazee born in Southington, CT to Slovakian parents. When he was three, his family moved to the Bronx, where James grew up.

He enlisted in the Air Force in 1948 and served for four years. He attended Westchester Community College and was a graduate of Hunter College.

James was given the opportunity to teach at Dutchess Community College and became Professor and Chairman of the Electrical Technology Program for 43 years, retiring in 2003. While teaching at the college he developed the curriculum for the course and it was published as a textbook and used all over the world.

It was at DCCC that he met his future wife, Ann Elizabeth VanWagner of Poughkeepsie to whom he was a joy and treasure for 49 years and a source of many lovely memories. In 1962 they married. Together, they had the following children: James Bartlett Brazee who married Kathleen Oremus and they make their home in Rhinebeck, Melissa Brazee Pitcher of Elizaville, and Amanda Elizabeth Brazee of Red Hook. Also surviving are their grandchildren; Tristan Clay Pitcher and Amelia (Maisy) Pitcher of Elizaville. A daughter from his first marriage, Wendy Susan Brazee and her husband Paul Petrarca of Cranston, RI, Wendy's son and daughter, Philip Todd Berkowitz, Helene Berkowitz and her children, Jayden Berkowitz and Cameron Mastrangelo of Poughkeepsie.

For several years James was the director of the Kingston Family History Center, a Genealogy Library at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he was also a member. He cherished the many friends he met in that position and the fellowship, love and support he enjoyed with the members of the Church, who were supportive and loving to him throughout his illness with cards, prayers, treats and flowers and many kindnesses.

James had a lifelong love of learning, and an interest and curiosity about so many things…and loved to study and learn. Shakespeare, Dickens, Sitchen and so many others were favorites and as well as many disciplines in the arts and sciences. He always had several books going and also would view or listen to college courses on CDs, tapes and DVD for enjoyment.

He loved life, his family, his friends and his country and was always grateful for the opportunities that he had had as the son of an immigrant to make a life in this land. When he and his family were starting out, on a small budget, he designed and made beds and bookcases, dollhouses for their home and family…and because he and his dear wife, Ann, love Baroque music (Bach, Handel, etc.) James built her a clavichord and harpsichord, both instruments of that period.

His greatest joy, among many joys, was playing the classical guitar especially the music of Spain, which he tried to make a part of each day for 47 years. It brought him much so much pleasure to play the beautiful repertoire of that instrument, which he continued to do until a few weeks before his death from pancreatic cancer.

James will be remembered as a sweet kind gentleman with dignity and honor. He lived his life following the words of the 13th Article of Faith of his Church "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things". Joseph Smith

Though he was a scholar he had a great sense of gentle humor and was fun to be with. He always felt he had been very blessed in his life and was a great blessing to others. His family would like to thank his many kind and dear friends who supported him with love and prayers though his illness and the awesome, amazing people at Hospice for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to that wonderful organization: Hospice Foundation, Inc., 374 Violet Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

In a Church talk many years ago, one of James' friends said "the purpose of Life was creating fond memories". James took it to heart. We, his loving family want to thank our dear husband, father, grandpa, James for all the special memories he created for and with us.

Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, NY on Saturday from 10 AM - 12 PM. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 PM the funeral home. Burial will be at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Red Hook.

Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes. For directions, or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.Burnett-White.com