Denis Hugo BRAUN

BRAUN, Denis Hugo
July 2, 1942 – July 15, 2015
Denis Hugo Braun, 73 years young, beloved son, brother, uncle, friend and an extraordinarily gentle giant of a man died on July 15, 2015 after a courageous battle with lymphoma. Deny came into the world, as per his Birth Certificate, on July 2, 1942 on the family farm near Tyvan, Saskatchewan at the northern half section of 16-13-12-2. He arrived to loving parents, WERNER CARL HUGO BRAUN (HUG), of Wil, Switzerland and MARIA TERESA SENN (MOLLY) of Arbonne, Switzerland.Deny's prairie homesteading parents instilled their children with optimism, a can-do spirit of adventure, respect for beauty and a love of music. As the second youngest of four children it is no surprise that independence, humility and the strong bonds of family wove their way through his life. The Braun family of six moved from the family farm to Regina in 1949. Deny graduated from Campion College in 1960 and received a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Alberta in 1964/65. After graduation he ran for political office in Saskatchewan for the Progressive Conservative Party. He moved to Ottawa, fell in love and married in the late 1960s. In 1969 under the cover of night, he flew food and medical supplies to war-torn families in Biafra. In his own words, "the 85,000 children who starved to death there forever re-set my attitudes towards consumption". He began a lifelong voluntary vow of poverty which he continued until the time of his death. It was one of his proudest achievements to leave this earth with no mortgage, debt, loans or credit cards, a home he designed and money in the bank. Deny chose life on his own terms. For the next thirty years he lived and worked in San Diego, Switzerland, Nigeria, Argentina, Malaysia, China and Vancouver forming close business and genial relationships. Deny's immense curiosity channelled into innovative results. Among his endless inventions were: Blueprint Asia - a detailed 60 year guide to the future of Asia. Megazebo's - small, multi- use prefabricated 8-sided octagon homes. Cremation memorial structures. His re-worked "The Cremation of Sam McGee" Trilogy. BetaBall - a faster, more exciting version of baseball. Deny never failed to surprise, shock and remind us that life is meant for the living. When Deny had open heart surgery in 2004 the surgeons told his family that they had never seen a heart so large - indeed, a heart two sizes too big. Love and laughter came easily to Deny. Nothing made him happier than helping to organize celebrations, contributing generous portions of meals he spent entire days concocting, then entertaining us with one of the greatest stories of loyalty and friendship: his authentic wolf-coat clad rendition of "The Cremation of Sam McGee". An elegant, soft-spoken man with an enviable head of silver grey hair Deny was fiercely proud of his musical Swiss heritage and nurtured close ties to his Swiss roots.Pre-deceased by his parents, Hugo and Molly, he is survived by: TILLIE BRAUN, step-mom; FRED BRAUN (Gail), and children Lisa, David and Darcy; MARLIES MacKAY(Paul Smith) and children Michael, Carla, Shelley, Renee and Suzi: CHERYL ALEXANDER (Jack) and children Suzanne and Donald and numerous nieces, nephews and global friends included in Deny's extended family. Special thanks are extended to the recent care he received in both China and Calgary, to the staff and oncologists at The Tom Baker Cancer Center, The Mount Royal Longterm Care Center, Amica Long Term Residence and the West Sarcee Hospice. True to form, Deny left explicit instructions for the following message to be relayed to friends and family upon his death.
"Dear friend,
I expired today with you on my mind for the fun, friendship, laughter, business and personal relations we enjoyed. My aim is a Purgatory Man Cave, 20 bedroom mansion where all my characters from "The Trilogy" live. who knows but I might return to teach English corner, keep you warm with winter clothing, and keep you laughing with Bitter Cold jokes. Enjoy a prosperous life and always give luck a chance to happen."
Cheers,
Denis Braun.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael's Catholic Community (800 - 85 Street SW) on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Deny's Life to follow at the Calgary Golf and Country Club (1 1/2 blocks west of the intersection of Elbow Drive and 50 Avenue SW) at 1:00 p.m. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared with Deny's family through www.evanjstrong.com. If friends so desire, memorial donations in Deny's name may be made to the Alberta Cancer Society (200-325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5; telephone: 1-800-661-2262; website: www.cancer.ca). Arrangements in care of EVAN J. STRONG FUNERAL SERVICES. (403) 265-1199.