Alfred Joseph Branagan, 89, of Natick, died peacefully Saturday evening, February 10, 2018 at Mary Ann Morse Nursing and Rehab Center in Natick. He and his beloved late wife of 66 years, Rita Helen (O’Brien) Branagan, were married in 1950.
Born and raised in Natick, he was a son of the late Alfred V. Branagan and Christine M. Fitzsimmons Branagan. Alfred was a graduate of Natick High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp after graduation and was honorably discharged in 1948. Upon re-enlisting in 1950, he and Rita married. He was discharged in 1951 and the newlyweds settled in Holliston to raise their family.
Al was a member of the Boston College Men’s Choir and St. Mary’s Church choir in Holliston. He worked for the Federal Government for 30 years, a job he loved, before retiring in 1987. Upon Rita’s retirement, they moved back to Natick, to Rita’s childhood home.
Al took pleasure in giving back to the community. He worked as the head of the Natick Council for the Blind for many years, supported by Rita. During this time, he was voted Natick’s Senior Man of the Year. Al and Rita also worked together to collect and refinish furniture that they often sold on consignment in Sturbridge. With his fellow food chain members at St. Patrick’s Parish, he helped prepare monthly dinners, prepared sandwiches when needed and supported food drives for the Pine Street Inn. They enjoyed many family vacations together at their cottage in Manomet. He and Rita shared a love of gardening and taking care of their yard. He was kind, generous, and much loved.
He is survived by their children, Paul Branagan and his wife Cathy of Plantsville, CT; Donald Branagan and his wife Karen Blatt Branagan of Newton, James Branagan and his wife Dina of Bourne, and Dianne McDermott and her husband John of Natick; his grandchildren, Jesse, Judah, Elisha, Levi, and Ajia Branagan, Jillian Branagan, Christopher and Matthew McDermott, and Sean Branagan; four great-grandchildren, Roman, Dylan, Jacob, and Aidan; his brother-in-Law, John O’Brien of Danvers; His Sister-in-Law, Margaret Branagan; and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his beloved family members: his brothers Francis and Robert, sister Mary McElroy and his sisters-in-law, May Branagan and Sally O’Brien.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, on Friday, February 16th at 11:00 A.M. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will follow at Saint Patrick Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held prior to the service Friday Morning from 9:00-10:30 A.M at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, at Natick Common.
Donations may be made in Alfred’s memory to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Greater New England, 101A First Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451.