Dr. Robert G. Brayton

Dr. Robert Gifford Brayton, age 85, of New York, NY and Westport Point, MA, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2016, surrounded by his loving wife and daughter. He was the husband of Dr. Donna (O’Hare) Brayton to whom he had been married for 62 years.

Born in Fall River, MA, he was the last surviving child of the late John S. Brayton III and Helen (Gifford) Brayton, he was a graduate of Phillips Academy in Andover, MA, class of 1949; received his Bachelor’s Degree from Williams College in 1954, and earned his Doctorate from Cornell University Medical College in 1958.

While at Williams College, Bob met his wife Donna, and they married in 1954. Bob and Donna lived in New York City with their beagle Smokey, and owl, Mr. Friendly, while in medical school. Together they were house staff at Bellevue Hospital, and physicians in New York City until they retired in 1998. He was on faculty at Cornell University Medical College, also the Medical Director of Irving Trust Bank and then the Bank of New York until 1998.

Upon his retirement, he continued to live in New York City and Westport Point, and had long standing interests in American art and antiques, and in wildlife and land conservation. He painted, carved, repaired furniture and did taxidermy, and had an unconventional but usually effective approach to home repairs. He was a member of the Physicians Scientific Society, New York County Medical Society, the Medical Strollers of New York City, the Grenfell Foundation of Newfoundland, the Newport Preservation Society, Shelter Island Yacht Club and Elephant Rock Beach Club.

In addition to his wife of 62 years, he is survived by his daughter Cory Brayton, DVM, of Baltimore, MD.

He was father of the late John S. Brayton V; brother of the late John S. “Jack” Brayton IV, Dorothy S. Brown and Priscilla G. Hastings.

His funeral arrangements are private and in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Cherry Place in Fall River. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grenfell Foundation http://www.lghealth.ca/index.php?pageid=16 or to a biomedical, arts or conservation organization of your choice in memory of Robert Brayton MD and John S. Brayton V.