Obituary of George B. Brannen

George B. Brannen, a resident of Wappingers Falls, entered into rest Friday, June 13, 2014 at his home. He was 91. Son of the late Everett and Janet Canfield Brannen, he was born March 26, 1923 in Palentown, New York. He graduated from New Paltz High School and continued on to Syracuse University where he received his Master's in Public Administration. He married the former Pauline Schwind on December 27, 1947 at St. Joseph's Church in New Paltz. Mrs. Brannen survives at home in Wappingers Falls. George proudly served his country in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1946. He worked as an advisory planner with IBM in Poughkeepsie, retiring in 1986. George was a life member of VFW Post Brannen Vandenburgh #8645 in New Paltz. He was active in local politics. George is a former chairman for the Wappinger Democratic Committee and a former member of the Town of Wappinger Planning Board. He was a 4H leader. He was a parishioner of St. Martin de Porres Church in Poughkeepsie. In his spare time he enjoyed reading, gardening, his motorcycle, carpentry, music, poetry writing, traveling and most importantly spending time with his family. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Bruce G. Brannen and his wife, Rita of Beacon, Marjane Selleck and her husband, Marty of Delanson, NY, Stephen P. Brannen and his wife, Barbara of Stanfordville, Denise E. Brescia and her husband, Nick of Pasadena, MD, Donna M. Rose and her husband, Michael of Poughkeepsie and Thomas E. Brannen of Wappingers Falls; his sister, Bernice White and her husband, Monte of Poughkeepsie; his sister-in-law, Peggy Schwind-Buono; his fifteen grandchildren, Colin, Kevin, Megan, Melissa, Allison, David, Sean, Patrick, Katherine, Andrew, Matthew, Sarah, Shane, Tyler, and Stefan; his five great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Maddox, Liam, Savannah and Walter; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Everett L. Brannen who died in World War II and his sister, Marion Crans. Family will receive friends on Sunday, June 15, 2014 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2014 at St. Martin de Porres Church, Cedar Valley Road, Poughkeepsie. Interment will follow in Fishkill Rural Cemetery, Route 9, Fishkill. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in George's name may be made to Hudson Valley Hospice, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Avenue, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10001. To send the family a personal condolence or for directions, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.