FRIENDSHIP - Raymond Wesley Brann, Jr. died peacefully of natural causes Monday, October 15, 2018 at The Sussman House in Rockport Maine. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Educated in local schools, he graduated in 1961 from Rockland District High School.

After graduating, Raymond began his career as a machinist at Bicknell Manufacturing in Rockland. As he progressed to becoming a tool and die maker he worked at Sylvania, Raytheon and Tibbetts Industries and also several shops in California.  Through work he was able to travel to India and Japan and experience different cultures.

His hobbies were certainly varied.  Four-wheeling Downeast, owning and flying his own plane, scalloping out of New Bedford, driving across country with his dog, scuba diving, buying and trucking seafood, making contact with hundreds of people worldwide on his ham radio station (W1RWB), building and flying model planes, writing and publishing a cookbook - he did it all, and then some.  His cooking skills were especially appreciated by his wife.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 47 years, Bonnie Hawes Brann; his daughter Amy Milliken and her husband Todd of Brooks and their children Zachary, Nicholas and Lindsey; daughter Ann-Marie Meklin and her husband Bruce of Thomaston and their children Timothy, Amy, Rachelle, Taina Thompson and Haley Thompson Olsen; his son Raymond Brann II and his partner Cindy of Rockland and his children Caitlin, Raymond IV and Jonathan Brann; and his son Jess Brann of Camden and his children Joshua and Joseph; several great-grandchildren; his sisters, Betty Brann of Rockland, Judy Demmons and her husband Douglas of Oakland; several nieces and nephews; and last, but not least, his loving dog, Bayla.

A service will take place Tuesday, October 23 at the Advent Christian Church in Friendship with Pastor Alan Chamberlain officiating.

The family wishes to offer thanks for the wonderful care provided to Raymond at Pen Bay Medical Center, and the Sussman Hospice House. 

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Pope Memorial Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, Maine 04841. 

To share a memory or condolence with the Raymond’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. 

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.