Life's Random Winds

It is ironic that I had posted recently about the my family's summer home on Brantingham Lake where I spent so many wonderful summers. One of the frequent occurences we had as I grew up was all of the aunts, uncles and cousins within the extended family gathering at the lake house - through my grandfather's sister, Kathleen Phelps Lyng, I still have many cousins of various degrees in the area. Dinners at the camp - as summer homes are called in that area - with 24 or more people was a common occurence.

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In any event, I just found out that the son of one of my second cousins who still lives in the general vicinity of the summer place was killed in an ATV accident. He was just 19, smart, a well rounded athelete, and as the photo at left indicates, a very handsome guy. Speaking with his grandmother by telephone (she was always a favorite of mine) was such a sad, sad time. She truly treasured him as did all of his family. It truly demonstrates how all of us need to treaure our loved ones and find wonder in each and every day because we never know when a tragedy may stirke. I hope Jerome that you rest in peace and that those closest to you find away through their current sorrow: Here are some highlights from Jerome's obituary:

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GLENFIELD — Jerome M. Branagan, 19, Lovers Lane Road, died Sunday of injuries suffered in an all-terrain vehicle accident on Adams Hill Road in the town of New Bremen. He was pronounced dead at Lewis County General Hospital, Lowville.

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In high school, he was a member of National Honor Society and of the baseball, football and wrestling teams. He was a dean's list student and a member of the baseball team at SUNY Canton.

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A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Lowville, with the Rev. Christopher J. Looby, parochial vicar, officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday in Brantingham Cemetery.