Joseph John Braun
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Memorial for Joseph John Braun
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Born in Buffalo, New York on May 7, 1925
Departed on Jan. 2, 2009 and resided in Norfolk, VA.
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| Visitation: |
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009
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| Funeral Mass: |
Friday, Jan. 9, 2009
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| Cemetery: |
Arlington National Cemetery
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Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.
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NORFOLK, VIRGINIA ; Joseph John Braun, who exemplified the meaning of what has been called The Greatest Generation, died peacefully January 2, 2009 surrounded by his family. He was born May 7, 1925 in Buffalo, New York, the son of the late Joseph J. Braun Sr. and Anne Waters Braun and raised in the harsh conditions of the depression. He was educated at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, attended Cornell University, received a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School of Engineering, and a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also graduated from the Naval Test Pilot School. He was a member of Theta Xi Fraternity and a Senior Member of the Society of Logistic Engineers. Throughout his life, he was an ardent believer in education as a means to improve one's life and accomplish goals.
He retired in 1974 at the rank of Commander after a thirty one year career in the U.S. Navy. He was both a Fighter Pilot and a Test Pilot involved in the early development of jet engines. He was the Navy Flight Test Director for the F-4 program in St. Louis and the 99th pilot to fly and accept delivery of the F-4 aircraft. He was later the Executive Officer for VX5 in China Lake, CA before his final assignment as Executive Officer for the Weapons System Test Center in Patuxent River, MD. Upon retiring he returned to Norfolk where he worked as a Senior Engineer for Q.E.D. Systems, an engineering consulting firm.
While attending flight school, he met his future wife June Elizabeth Mead of Pensacola, FL, whom he married in February, 1950. Together they raised their family of nine children. He was committed not only to his own children but to the youth in his community. Since 1959, he was active in Boy Scouts, serving as both Cub master and Assistant Scoutmaster and was recognized with the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow. He also coached soccer and little league baseball, and after a tour of duty in St. Louis, he remained a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
He is survived by his wife and all of his children: Richard (Diane), Stephen (Donna), James (Kathye), Judith, Patricia Leyva (Eddie), Kathryn Erdei (Jay), Deborah, David (Karen), and Timothy. He is also survived by eight grand children, three great grand children, an aunt, cousin and nephew. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sister Geraldine McNerney. He was a member of St. Pius X Church. He is remembered for his faith in God, and for his love of his family and his country.
A Christian wake service will be held in the Norfolk chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., 1501 Colonial Avenue, on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 4:00 P.M. followed by a visitation with the family until 6:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 9, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. in St. Pius X Catholic Church, 7800 Halprin Drive, Norfolk. Interment with full military honors will be held in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Pius X Middle School Scholarship fund or the Tidewater Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com
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