Keith F. Branagan

Keith F. Branagan, 92, of 118 Union St., Black River, passed December 12, 2018 at the Samaritan Medical Center.

Calling hours will be held 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, December 15 at the Bruce Funeral Home 131 Maple St., Black River.  The funeral service with military honors will follow at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be in the Black River Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Born on May 31, 1926 in Watertown, NY, son of Samuel and Irene Hennesey Branagan, he graduated from Watertown High School. Following school he entered the US Army on September 1, 1944 and was honorably discharged on July 6, 1946.  He received the American Campaign Medal, European American Middle Eastern Medal and WW II Victory Medal.

Upon returning home he worked at the movie theaters in Watertown and was transferred to Saranac Lake.  While working there he met Teresa Waterstraat whom he married on May 19, 1951 in Saranac Lake.  The couple moved to Black River in 1960.

Mr. Branagan worked at NY AirBrake and later became a fire fighter on Fort Drum for several years, retiring in 1987.

He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Black River Fire Department and life member of the American Legion William C. Dexter Post 673 in Black River.  He also received the Distinguished Veteran of the Year in 2014.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, the outdoors, painting the barn, fly fishing, fly tying and reading.  He was an avid Yankee and Giants fan.

Among his survivors are his two sons, Ernest “Butch” Branagan, VA, Craig F. and Jeanine V. Branagan, MD; a daughter, Susan M. Branagan, Black River; a sister, Barbara Hyneman, Watertown; 7 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

His beloved wife Teresa “Tess” Branagan, a brother, Kenneth Branagan, three sisters, Dorothy Schultz, Geraldine Curtis and his twin sister, Korleen Parker and a grandson, Micah Prior all passed before him.

Donations may be made to Black River Ambulance Squad or to the Black River Fire Department.

Online condolences may be made at www.brucefh.com

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