Obituary of Richard Brainerd

Richard C. Brainerd, city of Poughkeepsie, died Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at The Pines at Poughkeepsie. Born in Newton, MA on June 7, 1931, he was the son of the late George W. and Evelyn Swift Brainerd. A local resident since 2004, he previously resided in Baltimore, Maryland. Attaining the rank of Lt. Comdr., Mr. Brainerd served 27 years in the US Navy, including aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) during the Korean Conflict. He worked as a computer programmer for IBM in Yorktown, NY. He married Elizabeth Walker in Massachusetts in 1954. She survives at home. He loved to play board games with his children, build things and shared his love of music with his family along with his wonderful dry sense of humor. He was part of a world missionary outreach from Baltimore. Dad's greatest desire for his family and anyone he could reach was to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. To this end, he was successful in his mission. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children; daughter Margaret "Meg" Brainerd of Poughkeepsie, daughter and son-in-law Judy and Jay Butler of Wappingers, and son and daughter-in-law Robert and Cindy Brainerd of Poughkeepsie. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, Meghan, Michelle, Callie and Rachel Brainerd and Lydia Butler. Arrangements are under the direction of the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY. There are no calling hours. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 11:00am at the Faith Assembly Church on Spackenkill Road. Burial will follow at the Wappingers Rural Cemetery. To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com.