Gerald Braniff

On December 15, 2025 Gerry Braniff passed, joining his wife Nora in Heaven.  His children, Michael and Emily were by his side to lovingly send him off to spend eternity with their mom.  Gerry and Nora were fondly known in the Anchorage Pioneer Home as the lovebirds, even with both suffering from dementia they never forgot their great love for each other.  

Gerry was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 15, 1940; he joined the Air Force after high school which brought him to Alaska in 1959.  He fell in love with the state and made it his forever home; after finishing his military service, he chose to live in McGrath where he trapped, flew planes, and delivered supplies to the community. He met Nora on a trip to Dawson City after being bitten by a dog in McGrath, back in those days the nearest rabies vaccination could be administered there. He loved flying and only Nora could make him give up the life of a bush pilot, both valuing each other more than anything outside of their strong Catholic faith. They were married two months later and they never looked back; always remaining each other's best friend.  They settled on a gorgeous lot on the banks of the Chena where they built their dream home just across the river from the Ft. Wainwright airfield. Gerry could name every plane that flew overhead, the smaller planes always made his eyes light up.

Gerry was a quiet man, with the Irish eyes of an angel.  He had the heart of a lion but he lived with quiet humility and kindness. He never stopped living the old Alaskan way of life of always helping his neighbor.  

He is survived by his siblings Mike, Trish, Colleen and Danny, his children Michael and Emily and his only grandson William, whom he loved dearly.