Greenwood, Maine - A well-orchestrated death was the wish of David Chapman Brainard, who passed quickly and with dignity on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016.

David was born in Middletown on Aug. 18, 1942. He was the fourth son of Gordon and Ruth Brainard of Westbrook. David grew up in Westbrook and graduated from Old Saybrook High School in 1960. He went on to graduate Northeastern University with a bachelor's degree in physics in 1965, working for several years at the Navy's Underwater Sound Lab as a sonar analyst. He married Edith Everts and they settled in Essex. Shortly after this, they had a son, David Jr. During the 1980s, David started Brainard Associates, a general contracting and masonry company based in North Stonington. Through his contracting work, he left his mark on churches, schools and many other places.

In 1999, David and Edith moved from their home in Essex, to their home on Twitchell Pond in Greenwood, Maine. In partial retirement, David did cost estimation consulting work and became a member and then chairman of the Greenwood Planning Board. During this time, he played the tuba in "The Yet to be Named Banjo Band" with several good friends. They played at town functions and local convalescent homes, and on the "Songo River Queen".

David grew up near the ocean and had a lifelong passion for the sea, boats and sailing. David and his wife of nearly 50 years, Edith, enjoyed traveling, including small excursions around New England and Canada, and bigger trips to all but two of the world's continents.

David was a fisher among friends and family, taking care and soothing troubled waters with humor, measure and compassion. David spoke of wanting to leave this world on a sunny day with loved ones saying goodbye and old friends who have passed welcoming him on the next step of his soul's journey. It was cloudy on Sunday morning, and then the sun came out, and so he crossed.

David leaves behind his wife, Edith; son, Dave and fiancée, Chris; brother, Jack; Alice the dog and Charlotte the cat; a large extended family; and a wonderful community of friends who will miss him…and we are filled with joy for his peace and happiness! God bless, god speed and for goodness sake keep smiling, keep your chins up and keep laughing!

A celebration of David's life will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 27, 2016, at the Locke Mills Union Church, Route 26, Greenwood, Maine.

Thanks to all for the help, support, and love through this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, 15 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240, http://www.ahch.org, The Locke Mills Union Church , P.O. Box 147, Greenwood, ME 04255, or Dempsey Center for Hope and Healing, 29 Lowell St., 5th floor, Lewiston, ME 04240, http://www.dempseycenter.org.

Arrangements by Cliff Gray Cremation & Funeral Services, 60 Andrews Road, Bryant Pond, Maine.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Feb. 12, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for David Brainard

4 Entries

Dennis Bushnell

March 6, 2022

Grew up around the corner from David in Chapman Beach, Westbrook Ct. Childhood friends...great memories of roaming the adjacent farm and the beach, and swamps/ woods. He had a wonderful life, much of it following in his fathers footsteps, several of his uncles were Masons. Deepest Condolences.
Dennis Bushnell, Chief Scientist, NASA Langley Research Center

Necia Stevens

February 17, 2016

David was my first cousin and we grew up next door to each other. My parents Harry and Gertrude owned the dairy farm on Chapman Beach and our grandma Brainard lived up the hill next to the farm. We had a fun childhood always busy swimming boating fishing or blue crabbing with our cousin Steve ( I used to make the boys bait my line because I didn't like to touch the bait.) True to the Brainard disposition I remember Dave as easy going and I see he had our Grandmother's Smiley eyes. So sorry for your loss and even though we lost touch I thought of Dave often. My thoughts and my brother Donald's are with you and your family.

February 17, 2016

Dave, we shared many classes together in high school and I still remember your easy going sense of humor and your quick grasp of concepts that were beyond me. Rest in peace, my high school friend.

Phebe (Mucke) Manser

LEONARD CORMIER

February 12, 2016

Wow, Dave never thought you would pass any other way then planning and enjoying your life.
Dave was my first supervisor at USL. Everyday it was a new approach to Sonar with Dave, booming voice like a tuba, great smile/laugh...

We will meet again!
Len Cormier

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