William E. Braunlich Obituary
William E. "Bill" Braunlich, 86, of Rockport, MA passed away peacefully with his family around him on October 9, 2023, at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, MA.
Bill was born in Staten Island, NY on March 6, 1937, to the late Isabelle O. (Bloodgood) and Robert G. Braunlich, II. He graduated from Curtis High School in 1953 and attended Hamilton College in Clinton, NY where he earned a degree in history and economics. He took a leadership role on campus as president of Delta Phi and a member of the Interfraternity Council. In later years, he served on the Alumni Council, as class president and class agent, 50th reunion gift chair, as a volunteer for the Career Center and numerous capital campaigns. As a member of the Joel Bristol Associates, he established the Robert Gustav Braunlich III '55 Scholarship in memory of his beloved brother. Bill received the distinguished Hamilton College Bell Ringer Award in 2013.
After graduating from college, Bill began his career with New York Telephone Company before entering Officer Candidate.
School and serving six years in the United States Navy. Following active duty, he continued to serve his country as a member of the Naval Reserve for 23 years, retiring as a commander. Bill truly enjoyed his time in the Navy and cherished the lifelong friendships that began during his service. While in the Reserves, he resumed his career at "Ma Bell".
While working in NYC, he met the love of his life, June Schlichting, daughter of Hettie E. (Liesegang) and Fredrick Schlichting from Middle Village, Queens, NY. They married in 1967 and settled in Chatham, New Jersey where they were both very active in their church and the community. In 1975 Bill earned an MBA from New York University. Following the Phone Company divestiture, Bill moved his family to Boxford, Massachusetts to continue his telecommunications career at New England Telephone, becoming the first chief operating officer of NYNEX Yellow Pages in 1984. Several years later, he took over as president of Volt Telecommunications Group, a firm involved in engineering, installation, and maintenance of telephone infrastructure.
After retiring in 2006, Bill devoted his time to his lifelong mission - advancing research and awareness about epilepsy. He was a founding member of the Epilepsy Association of Greater Boston which grew to become the Epilepsy Foundation of New England (EFNE). Over the years, he served as chair of the Epilepsy Foundation of America and as both president and treasurer of its local New England chapter. He started and expanded the EFNE clothing and donation center which has generated over $10M to the foundation since 2009 and been an integral part in funding the growth of the New England chapter. He also worked as president of the Epilepsy Therapy Development Project. A special moment came when his youngest daughter was featured in a PBS special that told the stories of people living with epilepsy.
Bill was also an active parishioner at Trinity Episcopal Church in Topsfield, MA and at Saint John's Episcopal Church in Gloucester, MA, in addition to the Thatcher Island Association, Rockport, MA. Bill and June moved to Rockport, MA in 1999 to spend the remainder of their 56 years together by the sea. An avid golfer, Bill was happiest on the golf course. He also enjoyed Thursday breakfasts with his close friends. Bill loved his family and friends dearly.
Bill is predeceased by his parents and his oldest brother, Robert G. "Bob" Braunlich, III. In addition to his beloved wife, June, Bill leaves behind his younger brother, David L. Braunlich, and wife Susan of Belvidere, NJ, his cousin, Gregorij von Leitis and his partner, Michael Lahr of New York City, NY, his daughter Kristin E. Kirwan and husband John M. of Wilbraham, MA, his daughter Heidi A. Braunlich, of Salem, MA, his grandson, John T. "Jack" Kirwan of Marlborough, MA, his grandson William M. "Liam" Kirwan and his fiancée, Caitlyn D. Donahue, both of Marlborough, MA, in addition to his many nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews, and great grandnieces and great grandnephews, and many, many cherished colleagues and friends whose company he truly loved.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the: "Bill and June Braunlich Endowment Fund"Epilepsy Foundation of New England, 650 Suffolk Street, Lowell, MA 01854, 617-506 6041. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 21 at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 124 River Road, Topsfield, MA. A reception will immediately follow. A private interment will take place at Moravian Cemetery in Staten Island, NY at a future date. There will be no visiting hours.
Arrangements by Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA.
