Gary Albert Braun

Gary A. Braun, 78, passed away peacefully Monday, January 13, 2014 at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice in Bonita Springs. Gary was born July 24, 1935 in Naples, NY to Anna Fisher Braun and Albert J. Braun. A graduate of Naples Central School, Gary received a BS in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University and an MBA from the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester. He started his career with Harbison-Walker Refractories Corp. in East Chicago, IN. He later worked at Bausch & Lomb in Rochester, NY and Oakland, MD; and Itek Corporation in Reading, PA and Ft. Lauderdale. Gary retired in 2001 after 24 years as General Manager of the Transelco Division of Ferro Corp. in Penn Yan, NY. Since 1977, he and his wife Joan made their home in Geneva, NY, and in 2000 added a second home at Pelican Sound Golf and River Club in Estero. Gary was active in the Ceramic Association of New York, an industry-university organization, including two terms as President. He served on the City of Geneva Planning Board and later on the Zoning Board. He was president of the Geneva Historical Society Board of Trustees from 1982-84, when the society celebrated its 100th anniversary. Gary was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Geneva, where he served as a Deacon, and an affiliate member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs. He was elected to the Board of Directors at Pelican Sound, serving two years as Treasurer. He was a Rotarian, and was active in both the Geneva and Estero clubs. For many years, he was a member of the Geneva Country Club. He also enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge. An active gardener, he received many accolades on the landscaping of his homes in Geneva. Gary is survived by his wife of 49 years, Joan; sons Christopher and Jeffrey Braun, both of Geneva, NY and Gregory Braun of Atlanta, GA; daughter Kathryn (Ryan) Scrivener of Rochester, Kent, England; brothers Donald (Joann) Braun of Naples, NY and Darryl (Sally) Braun of Canandaigua, NY; sister-in-law Sydney (Edward) Regan, of Swansea, MA and Bonita Springs; and brother-in-law Allan (Shirley) Davis of Dover, FL. He was predeceased by his sister, Sally (Clayton) Ormsby of Fairfax, VA. Memorial services will be held Friday, January 17 at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of the First Presbyterian Church, 9751 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs, and Saturday, January 25 at the Presbyterian Church in Geneva. Donations in Gary’s memory may be made to the Rotary Club of Estero Foundation, PO Box 743, Estero, FL 33928.

Gary Albert Braun

July 24, 1935 - January 13, 2014