Kenneth Joseph Branch

Kenneth Joseph Branch, a father, grandfather, brother and mechanical engineer, died on Sunday, February 5 in his home in Jacksonville, FL. He was 73. He suffered from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and died in his sleep, confirms his brother Charles Branch. An avid history buff and gourmet cook, as well as an award-winning Toastmaster and member of Mensa, Mr. Branch first and foremost loved his children with all of his heart and was very proud of their accomplishments. Mr. Branch started his promising career at NASA and went on to work as a mechanical engineer providing structural and environmental standards for many nuclear, coal-fired and hydro-electric power stations. His work for engineering firms both in New York and Chicago, as well as for his own power engineering company, made him a very prominent figure in his field. He was sought after both nationally and internationally for his expertise. Mr. Branch graduated from University of Florida in Gainesville with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He later attended Columbia University in New York, earning a Master’s degree in Business Administration. An avid member of Unitarian Universalist congregations both in Florida and New York, Mr. Branch leant his adept eye for architecture and oversaw the planning and execution of the Unitarian Universalist Church at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, New York -- now one of the largest UU congregations in the U.S. Those who knew Mr. Branch well knew him as a man who could light up a room with a joke or a story about sailing the Long Island Sound with his family. His famous Caesar salad, pepper steak, tilapia -- even sangria -- were only highlights from his vast recipe collection. He loved Elvis, The Beatles, CSNY, Neil Diamond, Buddy Holly, Richie Vallens and could perform not one, but two, Don Mcclean songs on the guitar (although his piece de resistance was La Bamba). His love for music lives on through his children, all four of which played, at one point, the same trumpet. Mr. Branch is survived by his four children Kenneth Clark, Russell Perkins, Jaimie Rebecca, and Kathryn Madeline; his four grandchildren Zoie, Griffin, Brea, and Malcolm; his two brothers Charles and Joseph; his daughter-in-law Jennifer Wilsea Branch and his son-in-law William Russell Yakowicz. His ex-wife of 34 years, Sally Barbour Branch, remained a close friend. He is loved and will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Mr Branch’s life will be 10 am, Saturday, March 18 at The Worship Room at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Jacksonville, FL followed by light hors d'oeuvres.