Bruce A. Brann died peacefully on March 4, 2019, after experiencing cardiac arrest while visiting his brother- and sister-in-law in Florida.
Bruce was born in 1946 to the late Jeanne and Lauriston E. Brann and grew up in East Wilton.
Bruce graduated from Wilton Academy, served with distinction in Vietnam, returned to earn several degrees in education, and continued to spend most of his career as an educator, serving thousands of students over nearly 40 years and ending his career as the long-time principal of Frank H. Harrison Middle School in Yarmouth. As his superintendent shared, Bruce’s motto to “have two kinds of days: good days and great days” was shared by more than one colleague.
Outside of school, Bruce was a beloved and loving husband and father. An avid skier, hiker, biker, golfer, tennis player and doer of countless other outdoor activities, Bruce loved best spending time outside with family and friends, especially his wife and son. Among his favorites were skiing at Sugarloaf, biking and hiking in Acadia and kayaking the Midcoast waterways.
Bruce was predeceased by two of his three siblings, Sandra Nelson and Barry Brann.
He is survived by his wife Gayle of Brunswick and his son Garrett; his brother Terry and sister-in-law Sherrill Brann of Wilton; his in-laws Robert and Laura Lee Chadwick of Bath, David and Charnette Chadwick of Yarmouth, and Kathy Chadwick of Connecticut; and many beloved nephews and nieces.
Gayle and Garrett invite all who knew and loved Bruce to attend a Farewell Celebration on Thursday, March 14 from 3-5 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport on 5 Park St. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to consider a donation in Bruce’s name to Maine Huts and Trails at www.mainehuts.org/inside/support-us/donate.
My deepest sympathy to the Brann family. Rest in peace Bruce.
Great friend for many years ! Great veteran,educator,husband and dad. Shared a lot of great times together. Will be missed.
My heartfelt condolences to Terry and Sherrill and the Brann family.
So sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing. We went to Wilton Academy together and had fun times there. Bruce always had a grin for his friends and liked to play sports. We had a lot of classes together and everyone who knew him liked him. He will be missed by all.
Thinking of you all and hope your happy memories help in the coming days.
Rhoda Bottiggi MacMaster
Our deepest sympathy to Terry, Sherrill and the Brann family. Thoughts and prayers are with you as you share sweet memories. Shelley & Steve Finley
Went on many adventures with Bruce. Never had a better friend. So sorry to hear of his passing.
My sincerest condolences to the Brann Family and his friends .
Bruce was always kind to us younger crew at the Academy and at the lake
I pray comfort comes to your family and his friend . A great loss to our world .
..Rest In Peace ‘Brother In Arms’….We will all be together again soon….
So sorry to hear this. Bruce was a classmate of mine at WA. Condolences to the family.
Many memories of playing ball for the East Wilton church. What a great influence he had on all the children he had contact with. RIP my friend
Terry and Sherrill and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.
Carol McNally
Condolences to friends and family. Fond memories of Bruce’s infectious grin and sense of fun from WA days.
To Terry & Sherrill, so sorry to hear of your brothers passing.
While I did not know him I do know the Chadwicks, a nice family. A sad loss for all..
Our sincere sympathies to Bruce’s family and friends.
Times like these bring back many almost forgotten memories of Bruce and his family – from the time we started school, a year apart, at East Wilton Grammar Schoool, through Wilton Academy. A time gone by – when we could do things like hang a May basket on our 7/8th grade teacher, during class, and hide all over town til Mr. Kane found each one …. and he did …. hours later! Or, Bruce, how about the time we got in a bit of a mess for spooking Smith’s cows with a retired fire truck siren!? And Cub Scout meetings at the Brann’s because their mother was pack leader. On-and-on, all good times.
Linda will remember him more for his exuberant and competitive spirit at WA …. determined not to be the loser at anything he did!
Bye for now, Friend.
Dennis and Linda Taylor
Demerits for talking in study hall from Mrs. Mills, many hours at the lake, scary rides on your motorcycle, explaining to my mother how the fresh blueberry pie mysteriously got eaten…. the list goes on and on.
RIP B.A.B. You might be gone, but you will never be forgotten.
Condolences to the Brann family – positive thoughts and prayers coming your way.
Bonnie
Thinking of Terry & Sherrill, BJ and the extended Brann family and sending peace and strength your way
Thinking of you and your family, Bruce was one of the cousins always with a smile , and ready for something to do for an adventure, Aunt Jean had her hands full with the three boys, Our sympathy. Linda / Philip Coolidge