He is preceded in death by his father the late Emamuel Brandt , mother Florence ( nee Benner) Brandt wife Patrica Brandt ( nee Brodnik), Daughters Heather Holdsworth ( Jim Holdsworth) Kimberly Brandt, Son Baron Brandt( Christine Enderby) grandchildren Jessica Holdsworth, Mark Holdsworth( Catherine Gigliotti) Jackson Brandt and Maxton Brandt.
Don was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 1, 1932. He attended Christ the King grade school and St. Ignatius High School.
After graduation he worked on the great lakes as a deck hand of the Crsipin Ogelby self unloader, an Iron Ore ship. His experience on the Great Lakes earned him membership in the Royal Order of Ancient Mariners
He studied at John Carroll University, and Case Western Reserve University where he met his wife as lab partners in Chemistry. He culminted his education tour at the Ohio State University and elected to live not in a dorm, but at Egan Ryan Funeral Home where he drove ambulances and “taxis”.
Don came back to Cleveland to begin his professional career as an Equitable Life Insurance Agent, and joined Burkons and Burkons Insurance Agency, which presently exists as Burkons-Brandt Insurance Agency.
Community outreach began at an early age with the Boy Scouts . As a teenager, he attended a 2 week National Jamboree at Valley Forge where General Eisenhower presided.
Scouting lead Don to become the Explorer Post 401 Advisor at St. Angela Merici where many young parishioners joined him in high adventure experiences like Canadian Canoe Trips, White water rafting and skiing.
Don made 32 Canadian canoe trips with friends, family and explorer post members. Teaching how to live in the bush, cook over a fire, fish and swim in the clearest of waters and if you were lucky be an audience for the Northern Lights
Roger Lake in northern Quebec was his sacred place.
Volunteering for the Metro Parks enabled him to share his love of cooking, by preparing lunches for the volunteers on the William G Mather.
He served community meals at Trinity Cathedral and Ushered at Severance Hall which fulfilled his longlife passion for classical music.
Don was a prolific husband, father, friend and gentleman. He shared his love of music, literature,history (WWII particularly), cooking, art and the great outdoors with his family.
Don’s favorite Irish ballad was the Parting Glass
“So fill to me the parting glass, and drink a health whate’er befalls. Then gently rise and softly call Good night and joy be to you all”
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to :
Reserve Care (formerly the Hospice of the Western Reserve or BlueWater Chamber Orchestra bluewaterorchestra.com BlueWater Chamber Orchestra 3631 Perkins Avenue, Suite 4C North Cleveland, OH 44114
Calling hours at Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home
Monday March 23, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
20820 Lorain Rd Fairview Park, Ohio 44126
Mass of Christian Burial at St. Angela Merici Church
Tuesday March 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM
20970 Lorain Rd Fairview Park, Ohio 44126
Private interment at Sunset Memorial Garden of Religion.
