BRAMAN, Robert V. died on Friday May 16, 2008. He was the son of Rollo Warren and Flora Mae (Barney) Braman born on November 8, 1915 in Torrington. He attained Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm in 1932 and graduated from Farmington High School in 1934. He attended the Citadel in Charleston, SC, participating in football and track. He joined the United States Marine Corps, becoming a drill instructor before serving in the South Pacific during World War II. He owned and operated the Armored Car Company and worked for Connecticut Natural Gas Company in Hartford as an energy consultant retiring from that position at age 67. He is survived by his wife, Frances King Braman, and eight children from two previous marriages; Barbara Kelly, Douglas Braman, Lois Albert, Richard Braman, David Braman and Janice Smith from his first marriage to Arlene Miner Braman, and also Liliane Boyd and Lisa Braman from his second marriage to Liliane Taillon Braman. He leaves 13 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was stepfather to five children of his wife, Frances; Lawrence Sawyer, Joanne Hutchinson, Richard Holmes, Frederick Sawyer and Peter Sawyer and numerous generations of grandchildren. After serving more than 50 years in the First Company Governor's Foot Guard, he left as Executive Officer, retiring with the rank of Major and life member; he participated and instructed for the rifle and pistol teams. He was also a member of the Ale & Garden Society affiliated with the Governor's Foot Guard. He competed for 20 years with New England police teams and was a Connecticut Hunter Safety Instructor for the State of Connecticut. Mr. Braman was a Master Mason attaining 32nd Degree; a Sojourner, and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign War, American Legion and Hunters of North America. In addition, he was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He enjoyed traveling and seeing much of the United States, including over 1,000 miles of canoeing, a favorite sport. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 24, at 1 p.m. at the Gilead Congregational Church, 672 Gilead Street, Hebron. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to The First Company Governor's Foot Guard, P. O. Box 1771, Hartford, CT 06144 to the General Fund.

[Published in the Hartford Courant on 5/21/2008. - Transcribed by Nancy Washell]