Edward Branin, 86, of Cherry HIll

BRANIN, EDWARD REED
A popular Cherry Hill educator and a resident of Cherry Hill since 1964, passed away on September 30, 2007. Age 86.
Mr. Branin is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Ellen, 2 daughters, Bonnie Traynor and Kim Branin, 2 sons, Andrew and Thomas, 2 sisters, Francis Bergen and Lois Harris, 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Mr. Branin was born and raised in Ocean City and worked in Florida and Phila. prior to entering the US NAVY shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After boot camp in Great Lakes IL, he volunteered for submarine service and attended submarine school in New London CT. During WWII, he was active in the Pacific area on a number of different submarines from the old style \’S\’ boats to the modern fleet type boats until the Japanese surrender in 1945.
After discharge he entered Trenton State College and after graduating began his teaching career in Atlantic City at Central and Chelsea Jr. High schools. While teaching in Atlantic City, he and a former shipmate founded the National Submarine Veterans of World War II and served as its first President. The organization is devoted to perpetuating the memory of the submarine men who lost their lives while serving on submarines during WW II.
Mr. Branin received his Master\’s degree from Rutgers Univ. He was active at the State Level in the NJ Education Association while teaching and later in the NJ State Principal\’s Association. When he lived in Northfield, Atlantic County, he was active in the Lion\’s Club and after moving to Absecon joined the Kiwanis Club, eventually serving as President, prior to moving to Cherry Hill.
Mr. Branin became Supervising Principal in Absecon upon leaving Atlantic City, serving the Absecon Schools for 8 yrs. as its only administrator. He was also Sunday School Superintendent for Absecon Presbyterian Church.
After leaving Absecon for Cherry Hill, Mr. Branin served as an Elementary Principal in a number of elementary schools and closed out his 23 years in Cherry Hill as a high schoolAssistant Principal at Cherry Hill East H.S. He was chairman of the Sex Education Committee that developed the K-12th grade program. This program served as a model for many school districts throughout New Jersey. Mr. Branin was an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church serving 2 full terms as deacon and frequently an usher.
Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the BRADLEY FUNERAL HOME, Rt. 73 and Evesham Rd., Marlton. Funeral Service will be held Friday 10:00am at Trinity Presbyterian Church Rt. 70 Cherry Hill. Interment Locustwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cherry Hill Education Foundation, PO Box 3701, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.