Obituary of Raymond E. Brand

Raymond E. Brand Somerset - Raymond Edward Brand, 79, died on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at the Regency Heritage Nursing Center in Somerset after a long battle with Parkinson Disease. He was born on October 17, 1927 to the late Raymond and late Mary Brand in Bloomfield New Jersey. Ray graduated from Rutgers University and was a chemist for American Hoechst in Bridgewater retiring in 1992 after 20 years of employment. A resident of Somerset for 25 years, Mr. Brand moved to Bridgewater residing in the township for 15 years before moving back to Somerset 4 years ago. He served in the U.S. Army Occupational Forces in Japan after WWII for 2 years before getting married in 1950 . After his retirement in 1992, Mr. Brand enjoyed traveling, golfing, bowling, playing bridge, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians and a parishioner of St. Matthias RC Church in Somerset. Mr. Brand was loved by everyone he met and will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Surviving are his loving wife of 56 years, Betty (O'Connor), his 2 daughters; Patty Basilone and her husband John of South Plainfield and Denise Archer and her husband John of Lawrenceville, 1 sister; Gerry Billerman and her husband Bob of South River, 1 brother; Harry of Hazlet, and his 4 grandchildren; Kristen Basilone and her fiancé Joe Valluzzi, Justin Basilone, and Ryan and Kaitlin Jackson. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 8:00 AM in the Gleason Funeral Home, 1360 Hamilton Street, Somerset followed by a 9:00 AM funeral mass at St. Matthais RC Church, Somerset. Entombment will follow in St. Bernard's Cemetery and Mausoleum, Bridgewater. Visitation will be held on Monday, July 2, 2007 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM in the funeral home. Donation can be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, Parkinson Plaza, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305 ">