Businessman, had a passion for sailing
John Braat. (Courtesy photo)
John Braat, 88, of Bolton Road, died peacefully Saturday, June 30, 2012, at the Highlands, Fitchburg.
He was born in Englewood, N.J., Jan. 7, 1924, to Willem and Eduarda Thalia (Verkade) Braat. His parents were Dutch and lived temporarily in the United States for business purposes.
At the age of 8, John returned to Holland with his family. He lived there during the German occupation and left after World War II. He moved back to Englewood and started his career in New York City and began his import company. John Braat Company is still a functioning company with his son William H. Braat as president.
In 1968 John and his wife, Peggy, and children moved to Harvard. During these many decades in New England, John and his wife spent joyous years sailing parts of the New England coast. Sailing was his passion.
John Braat is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy “Peggy” (Cross) Braat; six children, John Douglas Braat of Japan, Colin Burke Braat of New York, Wendy Ann Braat of North Carolina, Anne Braat Welch of Stow, Steven Dwight Braat of California, and William Hendrik Braat of Texas. John also leaves eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
John’s oldest daughter, Jennifer Braat Belmont, of Washington, DC, died in 2010.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, July 30, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 14 Faulkner St., Ayer.
There are no calling hours.
The T.J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road, Ayer is assisting the family with arrangements. Please see www.andersonfuneral.com for additional information.
