Charles Brabrand

Charles Willard Brabrand, Sr. 98, passed away at Riverside Convalescent Center on Thursday, January 13, 2011. Charles was born on November 9, 1912 in Newport News to the late Thomas Sorensen Brabrand and Meta Jorgensen Brabrand. He graduated from Newport News High School in 1928 and attended the College of William and Mary until his father, a ship chandler, secured him a position on a Danish freighter for a year that sailed from Chile to Quebec. Returning home, he then worked at a myriad of jobs such as delivering milk with a mule drawn wagon, driving a taxi, selling cars, and milking cows on his fathers’ dairy farm. He also worked at NN Shipyard as a machinist and Naval Weapons Station as a mechanic during WWII. In 1946 he bought and operated a dairy farm in Ivor, VA for three years. In 1949, he bought an appliance business on Main St. West Point, VA which he called Bottled Gas and Appliance Co. He sold it to ESSO in 1955 and bought the John Deere dealership on 14th St. where WP Glass is now located. After selling this business in 1959, he bought and ran successful Laundromat businesses in West Point, Hampton and Newport News. In retirement, he enjoyed renovating, renting, and selling a number of old homes in West Point. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife for 74 years, Anita Ammons Brabrand; three brothers, Thomas Vincent, Alvin and Elmer Brabrand. He is survived by a brother, John and his wife, Cary Brabrand of West Point; three sons, Charles Jr. (Judy) of Gloucester, Andrew (Betty) of Montpelier, and Jim (Agnes) of West Point; nine grandchildren; Joy Brabrand, Anita (Wayde) Wood, Darlene (Scottie) Jackson, Mark Brabrand, Samuel (Miranda) Brabrand, Jonathan (Leigh) Brabrand, Daniel (Jessica) Brabrand, Scott (Debbie) Brabrand, Douglas (Sarah) Brabrand; 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Charles was a long time member and elder of Brett-Reed Memorial Presbyterian Church. He was active in maintenance and repair of the church facilities including renovation of the church kitchen. The family gives a very special thanks to Virginia Fussell for her years of dedicated service and care of Charles and Anita Brabrand in their home. We also thank Beatrice Jones, Kathleen Holmes, Comfort Keepers and the wonderful staff at Riverside Convalescent Center including their hospice staff. We give a special thanks to Pastor Nancy Summerlin for all the spiritual support she gave our father. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Vincent Funeral Home, 417 11th street in West Point, VA 23181, with the funeral service beginning at 6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Brett-Reed Memorial Presbyterian Church, 29680 King William Road, West Point, Va. 23181 or the charity of your choice.

Charles Brabrand

November 9, 1912 - January 13, 2011