Woodstock, Vermont

John Marks Brand, 80, died peacefully on May 17th at the Jack Byrne Rehab Center due to blood cancer and heart problems.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Beth (LaGrange) Brand of Woodstock, VT; his three children, Julie Russ (John) of Buffalo, NY, Chris Brand (Ana) of Somerville, MA, and Michael Brand of Claremont, NH; his eight grandchildren, Jake, Mike, Ben, Christiana, Nicole, Camille, Analysse, and Kevin; and his brother, Thomas Brand of Phoenix, AZ. He is predeceased by his son David Brand (Julie) of Martha's Vineyard, MA, his brother, Father Fred Brand of Albuquerque, NM, and his parents, Fred and Florence Brand of Wausau, WI.

John was born on November 15, 1937 in Wausau, WI where he was active in the boy scouts as both a scout and a councilor and enjoyed many summers at the family cottage on Manson Lake. He graduated from Wausau High School in 1953 and went on to get a B.A. in Business from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI where he also became a member of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity in which he made many lasting friendships. He met his future wife, Mary Beth, also an MU graduate, soon after graduating in 1959. They married in Las Vegas, NV in 1964 and settled in Wausau, WI where John worked for Xerox. A few years later John accepted a sales position with 3M Medical Division and moved his growing family to Chicago. Soon after he joined a dynamic new start –up company called W. L. Gore as the co-manager of sales, and the family moved to Wellesley, MA where they remained for 20 years. Upon retirement John and Mary Beth settled in Woodstock VT where he continued to be active in his church community. John also continued to pursue his love of the outdoors, walking, hiking, and kayaking throughout Vermont. He had previously traveled extensively for business and continued traveling in retirement as well as playing in tennis groups. In Woodstock he joined the board of Directors at the Ottuaquechee Health Foundation and became a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Woodstock, VT, and became a Chaplain at Mt. Ascutney Hospital.

John will be remembered for his love and kindness toward his family and friends, and for the deep faith and commitment he had for the Lord Jesus Christ.

A memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday May 22 ^nd from 5 to 7 pm at the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, VT. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday May 23 ^rd at 11:00am at Our lady of the Snows Catholic Church. Burial will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, VT an on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com