Donald A. Brainerd

Don Brainerd of Roxbury, NY passed away peacefully March 30, 2022 at Mountainside Residential Care Center. He was born in Gilboa, NY to Ralph and Edna (Warner) Brainerd May 21, 1934. Don was an Army MP as he served in Japan in the Korean War. He and a few of his army buddies climbed Mt Fuji and he liked to tell the story about sliding down the hardened lava wearing out his boots! June 14, 1958 he and Reba Kellerhouse were married in the Grand Gorge, NY Methodist Church. After a honeymoon trip out west they settled in Grand Gorge raising 3 children. Don joined the GG Fire Department and served as chief for many years. He also helped to start their ambulance service. A few years later they moved their family to Roxbury where he became a member of the Roxbury Fire Department, Rotary Club, and became the Foreign Exchange Student Chair and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow honor. He and Reba had the privilege of hosting several exchange students. He also joined the Ralph S. Ives Legion Post # 1785. For many years he was the parade marshal and marched in the Memorial Day parades in GG and Roxbury. May of 1975 Don and Reba Brainerd opened Don Brainerd’s Appliance Sales & Service business. As well as appliances, Don could fix anything. He retired in 2005. They spent 11 winters in Myrtle Beach Travel Park, making good friends from Canada and several other states. Don’s favorite pastime was fishing on the beach with his fishing buddies. They decided to settle in the sunny south and purchased a condo in Little River, SC., later moving back home to Roxbury. When Don’s grandson Tristen was young, he and Don walked the perimeter of the golf course every morning. They became very close in spirit and remained so until Poppy’s passing. Don is survived by his wife, Reba, son Wayne (Valerie), daughter Kelly, sisters Marge Husted, Marie Schaefer of Florida, brother Richard (Valerie) of Prattsville, sister Patricia (Hugh) Gunther of Gilboa, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Todd and brother and sister-in-law Charles and Donna Brainerd. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, June 4th from 1pm-4pm at Miller Funeral Home, Roxbury, NY. Celebrating “Don” will follow at the Roxbury Fire Hall. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to the Building Repair Fund, Jay Gould Memorial Reformed Church Box 267 Roxbury, NY 12474 or Roxbury Fire Dept., Roxbury, NY.