GLOUCESTER, William “Bill” Meloy Brainard, 59, of East Gloucester died suddenly early Wednesday morning September 2, 2009. He was the husband of Ruth Shane and they were lovingly married for thirty-one years.
Bill’s intelligence and kindly manner were his hallmarks. His keen sense of humor and penchant for a tall tale were a source of amusement to friends and family throughout his life.
Bill’s passion for music was legendary among family and friends. He was a member of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus during the 1970’s and a long-time patron of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Bill’s affection for classical music extended to chamber music as well. For the past five years he served as a member of the board of trustees of the Rockport Chamber Music Festival.
Born in Claremore, Oklahoma on April 17, 1950, Bill was the son of the late Ralph Bryan and Helen Maria (Thoreen) Brainard. He was a graduate of Oklahoma Military Academy, the University of Massachusetts, and Boston University School of Law.
For twenty-eight years as a staff attorney, Bill was a committed advocate for the underprivileged through Neighborhood Legal Services of Lawrence and Merrimack Valley Legal Services of Lowell, Massachusetts. As a long-time member of the board of directors of Community Action Inc. of Haverhill, Massachusetts, Bill served as treasurer and chairman. He served in the same roles on the board of directors of Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and as treasurer for the board of Pathways for Children in Gloucester.
Bill is survived by his wife Ruth, a sister, Mary Helen Brainard of Buena Vista, Virginia, and by many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his brother Ralph Bryan Brainard, Jr.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 12th at 2:00 p.m. at the Independent Christian Church, Unitarian Universalist, 50 Middle Street, Gloucester. Friends are invited to visit at Bill’s home from 2 – 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday September 5th and 6th.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, 99 Chauncy Street, Boston, MA 02111-1703 or to Rockport Music (formerly Rockport Chamber Music Festival), P.O. Box 312, Rockport, MA 01966.