1927 – 2014

AUBURN — Irving C. Brainerd, 87, died Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Bolster Heights Health Care, where he resided for the past 16 months.

Born in Clinton, Mass., on March 29, 1927, a son of the late George and Mary Ellen Rubery Brainerd, he graduated from Edward Little High School in the Class of 1944, and received his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Maine at Farmington. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He was a member of the United Baptist Church in Lewiston and was married to the former June F. Gillis, who died July 13, 2013.

Irving worked for 40 years for a printing agency for the federal government in Washington, D.C., and played first trombone for 41 years for the Washington Redskins and 30 years in police marching bands. He lived in Silver Springs, Md., and retired in 1984 to Rehoboth Beach, Del., recently moving to Auburn, where he grew up.

He enjoyed sports, music, walking the boardwalk and travel later in his retirement, which included several cruises throughout the U.S. and abroad. He was an active member of the Masons and Kora Shrine.

Irving will be remembered for his humor and willingness to help and look after others; he was always there to help his neighbors.

He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Ina Brainerd, Millie Brainerd and Margaret Zaniboni; and many nieces and nephews.

He was also predeceased by two sisters, Mary Ellen Biatek and Audrey Gould; and three brothers, Robert, George and Milton Brainerd.

The family wishes to thank Lucy Sturmfelz, a dear friend of the family, for her devotion to Irv while residing in Delaware and the entire staff at Bolster Heights Health Care for the excellent care of Irving and his wife, June, during their stay.

Online condolences are at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.