John A. Braun, 69
Community and Business Leader
John Aloysius Braun, 69, of Perryville Road, Rehoboth; formerly of Pocahontas Lane, Attleboro; died on Monday, February 9, 2009 at the Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island following an extended illness. He was the husband of his devoted and dedicated caregiver and best friend, Joyce B. (Beard) Braun to whom he was married on June 22, 1963.
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania on February 8, 1940, he was a son of the late Edward F. and Josephine (Vath) Braun. Raised and educated in Reading, Mr. Braun was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in 1957 and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1961. In 1969, Mr. Braun received his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island.
He honorably served his nation with the United States Army from 1961 until 1967.
Mr. Braun was employed as a manager by Barry Industries in Attleboro for one year prior to the onset of his illness in 2001. Previously, Mr. Braun was employed as the President of Amprobe, Inc. in Lynbrook, New York for ten years and served as the Vice President of Marketing for Augat, Inc. in Attleboro for 13 years.
He moved to Rehoboth in December 2004 from the City of Attleboro where he had been a resident of Pocahontas Lane for 40 years. A man of great abilities, he oversaw the construction of his residence and performed much of the work himself. His skills as an engineer provided him with the expertise to perform a multitude of “handy man” tasks around his home and those of his family and friends.
A man of faith, he persevered through the last several years with vigor and determination. He was a longtime communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in Attleboro where he served his church community as a lector and CCD instructor.
He was a former member of the Notre Dame Club of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts; as a glider pilot he was a member of the M.I.T. Soaring Club and the Soaring Society of America.
Mr. Braun was a member of the Wheaton College Associates and served as a longtime board member and president of the former “Celebrity Nights” in Attleboro.
An ardent car aficionado, Mr. Braun loved his Austin-Healey and attending car rallies. Mr. Braun was an avid reader and was a member of an informal book club that often met at his home.
He enjoyed the sounds of music and treasured the peace and tranquility he obtained spending countless hours watching the birds, especially hawks, around his Rehoboth property.
In addition to his wife of 45 years, he leaves a daughter: Heather B. Foley and her husband, Joseph T. Foley, of Rehoboth; two sons: Christopher J. Braun and his wife, Julie (Young) Braun, of Piedmont, California and Gregory E. Braun and his wife, Kathryn Buckley, of Holliston; five grandchildren: Patrick H. Foley of Rehoboth; Maxwell C. Braun of Piedmont, California; Charlotte A. Braun of Piedmont, California; Sophia H. Braun of Holliston and Edward T. Braun of Holliston; a sister: Josephine Garber and her husband, Richard Garber, of Emmaus, Pennsylvania; two brothers: Dr. Daniel Braun, D.D.S. and his wife, Linda Braun, of Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania and Mark Braun and his wife, Sherry Braun, of Reading, Pennsylvania and several nieces, nephews and many very close friends.
Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Friday, February 13, 2009 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM in the “Memorial Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home – the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.
Children’s room is available during visitation.
Those in need of a ride to visitation may simply call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 9:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 133 North Main Street – Route 152, Attleboro with the Monsignor Daniel F. Hoye, officiating.
Burial will be private.
Following church services celebrating his life, family and friends will be welcomed to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at a location to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name and honor may be made to the Community Visiting Nurse Association, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, MA 02703 or to the St. Joseph's Church Food Cellar, 208 South Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703 or to the Hebron Village Outreach Center, Inc. for the Working Persons Food Pantry, PO Box 92, Attleboro, MA 02703.
For additional information or to send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an on-line guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.
(508) 695-0200.
