Josef (Joe) Brand, late of Cambridge, Massachusetts, passed away in his sleep at the age of 98 (one month shy of 99) on March 12, 2024. He is survived by his son Steven Brand; by his daughter Jill Brand and husband Thomas Nehrkorn; and by his adored grandchildren Corey Brand, Curt Nehrkorn and wife Grace Charles, and Mel Nehrkorn and partner Jem Nash. He is predeceased by his first wife of 48 years, Leila Brand (née Frohlich), and his second wife, Renee Herskowitz. A private celebration of his life will be held at Youville House in Cambridge MA. He will be acutely missed.
Joe was a World War II veteran who served in Normandy and in Berlin after the collapse of the Nazi regime. He attended Brooklyn College (BA) and Columbia University (MA). For almost 40 years, he taught English in the New York City school system, and at Yeshiva University High School as well. He spent most of his years at Brooklyn Technical High School, one of NYC’s exam schools. His former students often mentioned how his exciting classes “brought Shakespeare to life” for them. In 1980, Joe was given the Teacher of the Year Award by the NYC Association of Teachers of English.
Joe squeezed every drop out of life. He played tennis and went folk dancing whenever he could, and he sought these activities out wherever he happened to be living – Brooklyn NY, Lenox MA, Tucson AZ, and Silver Spring MD. He loved to travel within the US, in Europe, in North Africa, and in Asia, and his Nikon camera was never without slide film. A fervent lover of classical music, Joe went to as many concerts as he could fit into his schedule. He treasured his long summers in Lenox MA, where he attended both student and professional performances at Tanglewood Music Center
His greatest passion, aside from his family, was poetry. He continued writing poems well into his 90s, participating in writing groups until the end, never letting his almost total blindness (due to macular degeneration) stop him from composing. To quote his beloved poetry group leader, Tom Daley, Joe’s “poetry, mostly written in imaginative response to arresting photographs by his friend Jerry Comins, moved with ease from rhymed iambic pentameter to free verse. Simultaneous with his deft imagery and musical effects, he would pose compelling philosophical questions as he conjured a world from the photos.”
Joe’s family is grateful beyond words for the kindness, respect, and support he received from the entire staff and the residents of Youville House Assisted Living Residences in Cambridge MA. We are also indebted to Mindful Healthcare for the wonderful aides who worked with Joe, most especially Juliet Mirembe.
Anyone interested in making a donation in his memory can give either to Youville House Assisted Living Residences (Donate Here) or to Macular Degeneration Research (Donate Here).