David Lewis Brigham

Born in New Haven, CT, on July 16, 1936, David was the son of Charles and Mary Brigham and brother to John C. Brigham (September 1930 – June 2020). He is survived by his beloved wife, Jean Brigham (Grant), and their three children: Craig Brigham (Nancy), Tim Brigham (Caterine) and Abigail Jandrucko (Brian), as well as ten cherished grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Dave graduated from Harvard College in 1958, where he played four years of baseball as a pitcher. Dave studied History at Harvard and would go on to subsequently receive a master’s degree in that same discipline from Hunter College in New York City. A lifelong athlete and outdoorsman, he loved skiing, golfing, tennis, fishing and swimming in the ocean, a pond, or a cold stream, whatever was available. David also loved reading, and would consume subjects ranging from American History, biographies, to fiction. He also loved spending time at homes that he affectionately owned over the years with his family and of course, his beloved wife Jean, in Vermont, St. Thomas, and Wyoming.

David was a Vice President at The Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, New York City, from 1959-1979; Executive Vice President, Peoples Savings Bank, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1980; Chief Investment Officer, Oppenheimer Management, New York City, 1981. After returning to JP Morgan Investment Management, he would eventually serve several years as its President and Chief Executive Officer, until his retirement in 1994.

David had a long and illustrious history of faithful service with the Church Pension Fund. He had been involved with the Fund since the mid-1960s, when he managed the entire portfolio while at J.P. Morgan Investment Management. First elected to the Board in 1981 after he left J.P. Morgan briefly, David served until 1993, chairing the Investment Committee. He returned to the CPF Board in 1997, and ultimately served four full terms, chairing the Investment Committee from 1997 to 2009. Under his guidance, and with the excellent work of the Investment Committee and investment staff, the Fund’s assets grew from $2 billion in 1991 to over $9 billion in 2008. Truly “a fiduciary’s fiduciary,” David also served on the Executive and Compensation Committees, and as a member and Chair of the board of the Church Insurance Companies.

A service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church at 10:30 on Friday, December 12, 2025 (https://www.christchurchguilford.org/). Immediately following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held from 12:00 –3:00 p.m. at The Madison Beach Hotel, 94 West Wharf Road, Madison, Connecticut (https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mpecuqq-madison-beach-hotel/).