Brandon, Donald David
SLINGERLANDS – Donald David Brandon, known as David, 89, passed away on September 5, 2024, in Slingerlands, N.Y. David is survived by his wife of over 67 years, Ann M. Brandon.
David was born October 11, 1934 in Portland, Maine to Marion and Rev. Ralph Brandon, and spent most of his youth in Hardwick and Bellows Falls, Vermont. He attended Antioch College and Cornell University, where he received a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning. His early career included working at the United Nations in NYC, and then for the county planning departments of Knoxville, Tenn., Oneida, N.Y., and Herkimer, N.Y. In 1967, his career brought him to Albany, N.Y., where he became Director of the NYS Office of Planning Coordination, followed by an appointment as Upstate Director of the Urban Development Corporation.
After leaving state government, David took a different path and became a partner in Chancellor Associates, renovating townhouses in downtown Albany. He and his family also designed and built a beautiful and unique summer home on Peck Lake in the Adirondacks, where they spent summers and weekends with family and friends for over 30 years.David and Ann met in Ohio and were married in 1957. In addition to his wife, Ann, David is survived by their four children: Chris Brandon (Jo-Ann), Bonnie Von Ohlsen (Craig), Eugene Brandon (Rebecca), and Seth Brandon (Jinn); eight grandchildren; as well as two great-grandchildren. David is also survived by his sister, the Rev. Ruth Brandon. He was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Paul Brandon.
David was an amazing, dedicated father to his four children and a devoted husband to Ann, as he enjoyed being a lifelong audience to her music, and they shared many travels far and wide. David also enjoyed being with his friends and encouraged his children and others to do their best in whatever they chose to pursue in life. He was a leader in his work and a patient and kind role model for his children and all who knew him.
The family would like to extend thanks to the staff at the Eddy Village Green at Beverwyck for their outstanding care and compassion provided to David.
A memorial service to remember and honor David will be held on October 19, at 2 p.m., at the First Unitarian Universalist Society, 405 Washington Ave., Albany. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in David’s memory to the UU Service Committee or UNHCR (UN Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Albany office).
